Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria has spoken highly of Vietnam’s preparations for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, not only in terms of infrastructure but also the agenda quality. 

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria

During an interview granted to a Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s reporter on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting underway in the central city of Da Nang, President Bachelet Jeria said Vietnam plays an important role in promoting the implementation of key contents. 

She also hailed Vietnam’s annual economic growth of 6-7 percent thanks to effective economic management, foreign trade promotion, investment attraction and global integration. 

The President said she was most impressed by Vietnam’s proposed priorities in the APEC 2017 agenda regarding social, economic and financial inclusion, adding that Chile is working to ensure that Vietnam’s proposed priorities will be included in the joint statement by participating leaders. 

According to her, Chile plans to set the theme “Women and Economy” for the APEC 2019 to be held in Santiago city, which is expected to enhance women’s involvement in economic development.

In order to boost bilateral ties, she suggested devising a specific action programme, establishing a mechanism to consider Vietnam’s proposal to export vegetables and fruits to Chile and establish technical groups to consider ways to lift two-way trade. 

About bilateral collaboration prospects, President Bachelet Jeria said during meetings with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi on November 9, both sides expressed determination to foster quinoa cultivation in Vietnam’s mountainous areas. She added that Chile also wants to learn from Vietnam’s experience in rice growing. 

The Chilean leader said there remains room for tourism cooperation, especially since the visa exemption policy took effect in August. 

Chile supports Vietnam’s bid to run for a non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council for the 2018-2020 tenure, she said, adding that both sides also discussed global issues and reached important agreements on science and technology.-VNA