At a working session with Minister of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Johann Schneider-Amman, Hue suggested both countries intensify cooperation in all fields, especially politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, education and training.

He thanked Switzerland for the commitment to provide 90 million CHF (93.2 million USD) in official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam from 2017-2020.

The Vietnamese Government will coordinate with the Swiss side to build projects to use the ODA effectively, he added.

Minister Johann Schneider-Amman affirmed that his country wants to strengthen relations with Vietnam, which has an increasingly important role in Asia-Pacific.

Both sides agreed to speed up the negotiation process of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association, which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and intensify trade and investment promotion activities.

They pledged to facilitate cooperation between the two countries’ enterprises, especially in fields such as finance, banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, hi-tech agriculture, and tourism.

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Head of the Economic Affairs and Taxation Committee Susanne Leutenegger Oberholzer (Source: VNA)

While meeting Susanne Leutenegger Oberholzer, Head of the Economic Affairs and Taxation Committee under the Swiss National Council, Deputy PM Hue lauded the country’s consideration of Vietnam as a priority partner in development cooperation policy.

He affirmed that projects funded by Switzerland have been implemented effectively, contributing to Vietnam’s development and international integration.

The host confirmed that she will continue encouraging Swiss firms to operate and invest in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Deputy PM also had a working session with Claude Béglé, a member of the Swiss National Council’s Foreign Policy Commission. 

Claude Béglé said he is willing to support Vietnam in human resources training, sustainable development, implementation of Public Private Partnership projects, and start-ups.

As SymbioSwiss Executive Chairman and CEO, he introduced several clean water treatment and agricultural projects that he wants to be carried out in Vietnam.

While in Switzerland, Deputy PM Hue also had meetings with representatives of leading Swiss enterprises, during which he said the Vietnamese Government creates favourable conditions  for foreign investors and detailed the country’s preferential policies.

Hue is scheduled to visit international organisations located in Geneva of Switzerland, and visit Belgium and Slovakia during the Europe trip lasting until September 21.

VNA