The talks between Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and Vice President and head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of Switzerland Guy Parmelin in Geneva on January 20.

The Deputy PM was a keynote speaker at theplenary session on strategic prospects for the Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN), attended other important sessions of the meeting and met withleaders from many countries, international organisations and global leadinggroups.

He also met with President of the WEF BorgeBrende and attended a ceremony to announce the conclusion of the Vietnam-WEFcooperation agreement. 

Binh told the WEF president that Vietnam highlyappreciated the WEF’s coordination with Vietnam to implement successfully thebilateral cooperation agreement. 

He emphasised that the implementation of thedeal since its signing on the occasion of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’sattendance at the WEF Davos in 2017, has brought practical outcomes in thefields of infrastructure, agriculture, education, and health care.

The agreement could be a model for the WEF toconsider expanding cooperation with other ASEAN member states, he said.

Borge Brende said the WEF wants to continuecooperation with Vietnam in specific activities, as well as in early launching aFourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) centre in the country to promote researchand application of the 4IR.

He handed over to Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh the conclusionreport of the bilateral cooperation agreement with many recommendations forVietnam on socio-economic development.

The same day, Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh met withCroatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, President of the European Parliament (EP)David Sassoli, and President of the Swiss National Council Isabelle Moret.

The Prime Minister of Croatia, the country holding EU Presidency inthe first six months of this year, and the EP President affirmed their supportfor the early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) andthe EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) to bring benefits for thetwo sides’ business communities and peoples.

They agreed to strengthen coordination withVietnam to promote ASEAN-EU cooperation during 2020 when Vietnam is the Chairof ASEAN.

Inthe meeting with President of the Swiss National Council Isabelle Moret, DeputyPM Binh praised the Swiss parliament’s support for and contributions to the developmentof the Vietnam – Switzerland ties, and conveyed NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi KimNgan’s invitation to Moret to visit Vietnam in the time ahead.

He also informed Moret of the outcomes of his talks with Vice President andHead of the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research ofSwitzerland Guy Parmelin as well as the agreed measures to boost the bilateralrelations.

Meanwhile, Moret spoke highly of Vietnam’s potential and position in theinternational arena, expressing her belief that Vietnam and Switzerland need tofurther the cooperative relations and traditional friendship.

Sheshared Vietnam’s call for organizing practical activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and affirmedthat the Federal Assembly of Switzerland will endorse and make positivecontributions to develop the cooperative ties into a deeper and more effectivefashion.

Deputy PM Binh asked the Swiss parliament to continue support for thecooperative programmes with Vietnam, as well as back the negotiations on thefree trade deal between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)to benefit both nations.

During his stay, Deputy PM Binh also held meetings with top executives of many leadingcorporations like Standard Chartered, P&G Group, Amazon Web Services,AstraZeneca, Novartis, Carlsberg, Hyosung and Spring Studios.

He took the occasion to affirm the Vietnamese Government’s consistent policy inimproving business climate and competitive edge through completing the marketmechanism, renewing growth model, restructuring the economy, engaging in theFourth Industrial Revolution and promoting global integration.

For their parts, the groups appreciated Vietnam’s socio-economic development inthe past time, and described Vietnam as a dynamic economy in the context ofeconomic headwinds in the region and the world.

They pledged long-term investment in the Southeast Asian country, hoping theGovernment will create an equal and transparent business environment thatfacilitates the operation of both domestic and foreign firms.

The Davos 2020 is the most important meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF)this year. It has drawn some 3,000 delegates from 117 countries worldwide,including 53 heads of states and governments along with presidents and managingdirectors of 1,000 partner companies and members.

With around 400 sessions during January 21-24, participants have discussed awide range of issues under this year’s theme “Stakeholders for a Cohesive andSustainable World”./.

Deputy PM highlights ASEAN’s priorities at 50th WEF meeting

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (second, right) at the session “Strategic Outlook: ASEAN” on January 21 (Photo courtesy of the World Economic Forum)

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh highlighted the theme and priorities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Vietnam as ASEAN Chair in 2020 while speaking at a plenary session of the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21.

At the “Strategic Outlook: ASEAN” session, Deputy PM Binh emphasised that ASEAN is a united and dynamic community of 10 independent Southeast Asian states. Among them, Vietnam has an economic growth rate of over 6 percent over the last 20 years and is one of the fastest growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region and the world with an average annual growth pace of 7 percent in the last couple of years.

ASEAN is a strategic priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy, he affirmed, adding that the country chose the theme “Cohesive and Responsive” for the year it holds the bloc’s chairmanship to respond to the common concern of the ASEAN members, who want to build a strong community amid a fast changing world.

Binh stressed the bloc’s priorities, including contributing to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the region; promoting regional connectivity, improving the adaptability to and making use of chances in the Fourth Industrial Revolution; enhancing community awareness and ASEAN identity; and continuing to expand and intensify the bloc’s relations with partners around the globe.

At the session, the Deputy PM also affirmed that as ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021, Vietnam will strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and the UN to actively contribute to regional and international peace and security, promote the realisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and boost ASEAN’s role and voice at other important multilateral forums, thereby helping to uphold multilateralism and international cooperation in regional and global issues.

Deputy PM Binh is leading a high-ranking delegation from Vietnam to attend the 50th WEF meeting in Davos.

Vietnam’s participation in the event aims to popularise the country’s achievements in socio-economic development and integration into the world while introducing its major development orientations, policies and measures to other nations, partners and large businesses so as to encourage them to bolster cooperation with Vietnam.

The meeting sees the presence of nearly 3,000 delegates from 117 countries, including 53 heads of states and governments, along with presidents and managing directors of 1,000 partner and member companies./. VNA