Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has expressed his hope that President of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Borge Brende will create favourable conditions for Vietnam to promote its images and role as the host of the WEF on ASEAN 2018 slated for September 11-13. 

During a reception in Hanoi on June 27 for the WEF President, PM Phuc thanked Brende for making practical contributions to Vietnam-Norway ties when he worked as Norwegian Foreign Minister and assumed other positions in the European country. 

Hailing the WEF-ASEAN 2018’s theme “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and Fourth Industrial Revolution”, the PM suggested that the WEF should build an agenda linked with the ASEAN’s 2018 theme of “Resilient and Innovative”. 

In order to ensure the success of the WEF-ASEAN 2018, the Vietnamese leader underscored the need to invite high-ranking leaders of countries and international institutions to the event. 

He asked for the joint work with the WEF to build the content and participation form of Vietnamese firms in the WEF-ASEAN 2018 to expand networking with the world’s leading corporations and catch new business ideas and trends. 

Speaking highly of the partnership between the WEF and Vietnam, Brende said the WEF- ASEAN 2018 is attracting the attention of countries and major corporations worldwide, proving Vietnam and ASEAN’s increasing role and attractiveness. 

He told the host that state and government leaders of seven countries have confirmed their attendance at the WEF-ASEAN 2018, adding that the organising board will invite more chairmen and chief executive officers of major corporations to the event. 

Brende expected that more Vietnamese firms will join the WEF to expand their reaches to the world. 

Receiving the WEF President the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh asked the WEF to continue cooperating with Vietnam to tap opportunities arising from the fourth industrial revolution. 

The same day, the two officials co-chaired a dialogue with major Vietnamese firms about the WEF-ASEAN 2018. 

Speaking at the event, Minh said the WEF-ASEAN 2018 is one of the important external activities of Vietnam this year so that the country will work closely with the WEF to thoroughly prepare for the event. 

He also reiterated the Vietnamese government’s consistent policy of improving the business climate to provide all possible support for enterprises. 

Describing Vietnam as one of the fastest-growing and dynamic economies in Asia-Pacific, Minh said Vietnam is chosen by the WEF as the first regional country to sign a public-private partnership (PPP) deal, which proves that the WEF appreciates ties with the nation. 

Brende said Vietnam’s successful organisation of the WEF-ASEAN 2018 will raise its role and stature in the bloc and affirms its active contributions to issues of mutual concern of the ASEAN and the region. 

During a reception for the WEF President on June 27, Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh asked the WEF to continue helping Vietnam build policies to join the fourth industrial revolution. 

The guest expressed his readiness to partner with Vietnam in the near future.-VNA