Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue on January 25 concluded activities at the 48th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, contributing to improving Vietnam’s stature in a global forum and rallying foreign support for the country’s socio-economic development. 

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (L) at the 48th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. 

Speaking at a dialogue with global leaders about pooling financial resources for sustainable development, Deputy PM Hue said governments should refine mechanisms, attract private investment in social fields, step up integration and economic connectivity to pool foreign capital for the healthy development of education-training, health care, environment and energy. 

According to him, Vietnam is accelerating private involvement in education, health care and environment, with a focus on quality improvement. 

Meeting President of Guinea Alpha Condé on the sidelines of the WEF meeting, Hue wished that Vietnam and Guinea will develop ties bilaterally and at global forums. 

Condé said the two countries have potentials for ties across agriculture and telecommunications and hoped to visit Vietnam in the near future to expand links. 

In a meeting with Dutch Queen Maxima, Hue spoke highly of her advice about promoting inclusive finance development. He suggested that the Queen, in her capacity as United Nations Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, pool financial and technical resources from the UN and international organisations to assist Vietnam in inclusive finance development. 

During a reception for Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie, Hue asked both sides to maintain the exchange of all-level visits by ministries, agencies, localities and businesses to raise mutual understanding and further deepen bilateral relations. 

Talking with European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom, Hue called for the early signing and ratification of the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement in order to further enhance bilateral economic-trade ties. 

In a conversation with Director General of the International Labour Organisation Guy Ryder, the Vietnamese Deputy PM affirmed that Vietnam will seriously deliver commitments on social insurance and wage reform once joining FTAs. Ryder also vowed to support Vietnam in the field. 

Chief Executive of Unilever Paul Polman expressed his impression about Vietnam’s high economic growth. Meanwhile, Chief Executive of the Standard Chartered Bill Winters committed to promoting financial technology development and joining equitisation of banks in Vietnam. 

A representative of Avaada Company expressed interest in investing in several power projects in Vietnam while Puma Energy Company wished to become a strategic shareholder of energy firms in the country. 

In a dialogue with financial and technological enterprises, Hue said Vietnam is determined to build a disciplined, transparent, action-minded, creative and efficient government in service of the public and businesses. 

Vietnam will fully deliver commitments with the Word Trade Organisation, facilitate trade in goods in ASEAN, realise the signed free trade agreements, as well as accelerate the early ratification of the EU –Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, he said. 

He stated that Vietnam will create favourable conditions for foreign firms to do long-term business in Vietnam and deeply join economic restructuring in combination with the renewal of the growth model. 

Hue also wished that more leading groups would attend the WEF on ASEAN slated for September 2018 in Hanoi.-VNA