President Lương Cường with delegates. VNA/VNS Photo

The coalition brings together the leading US business associations active on APEC to coordinate efforts in support of US policy objectives. US enterprises participating in the meeting operate in different fields, and mainly have investment projects in Việt Nam.

Representatives of the businesses noted that Việt Nam’s collection of feedback from both domestic and foreign businesses, including those from the US, to several new laws that have been enacted or are in the process of being drafted is highly commendable, as they aim to benefit the people and facilitate business operations. Many issues are being actively pursued by the Vietnamese government which has laid out clear roadmaps, mechanisms, and policies for business activities, they affirmed.

They also committed to continuing to expand production and business activities, innovating their operations, while also providing specific recommendations and proposals for industries and sectors in which they operate in Việt Nam, such as pharmaceuticals, insurance, digital transformation, and banking and finance.

Participants also expressed their hope for continuous attention from the Vietnamese State President, Government, ministries, and sectors to have effective production and business in the country.

Cuong highlighted that cooperation between Việt Nam and the US has continuously expanded and developed remarkably nearly three decades after the normalisation of their relations and more than a year the relationship was elivated to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This relationship has consistently grown based on the foundation of sincerity, trust, and responsibility, through empathy, mutual sharing, and respect, in response to the aspirations of the two peoples.

Việt Nam views the US as a strategically important partner and believes in the opportunities for growth within the comprehensive strategic partnership, thereby helping realise the aspirations of both peoples for a bright and dynamic future, and contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the regions and the world.

The President emphasised that Việt Nam is entering a new era full of potential, continuing important reforms, enhancing international integration, and promoting sustainable development. It is steadily improving its investment climate in a clear, transparent, and stable direction aligned with international practices to attract investment, with a focus on three main pillars of extensive reforms, protecting business interests, and developing new economic drivers.

In the context of the global economic transformation, technology and sustainable development will be two core factors shaping the future of the world economy, Cuong said, adding that Vietnam wishes to closely cooperate with US businesses and the APEC region in areas such as high-tech and innovation, renewable energy, and green development.

He emphasised that the country welcomes US companies to invest in artificial intelligence, big data, biotechnology, financial technology, and establishing research and development centres. On the other hand, Việt Nam has set a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and is currently implementing policies to encourage and attract investment to the renewable energy sector, including solar energy, wind energy, and energy storage technologies. 

State President meets with Sultan of Brunei

State President Lương Cường met with Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah on November 14 (local time) on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Lima.

Cường conveyed warm greetings from Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, and National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn to the Brunei leader.

Expressing their satisfaction at the effective development of the Việt Nam-Brunei comprehensive partnership, the two leaders agreed to work closely to make the bilateral relations develop in a deeper fashion, benefiting the two peoples while contributing to building a strong, resilient, and sustainable ASEAN community.

Looking ahead, they concurred to continue promoting exchanges and contacts at all levels and to maintain the effective implementation of the bilateral cooperation mechanisms. They were also unanimous to effectively carry out the action programme for the Việt Nam – Brunei comprehensive partnership for the 2023-2027 period and strengthen collaboration across all domains, particularly in the four priority areas agreed by the high-ranking leaders of both sides, namely oil and gas, chemicals, Halal food processing, and tourism and people-to-people exchange.

President Cường affirmed Việt Nam's commitment to facilitating Brunei's business investments and called on Brunei to support Vietnamese firms with production processes, grant certifications for Vietnamese agricultural and Halal products, and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese Halal goods to enter Brunei’s market and integrate into the global Halal supply chain.

The Sultan of Brunei agreed to enhance cooperation with Việt Nam in crucial areas like maritime collaboration, including considering the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding on the fisheries hotline and facilitating fishing permits for Vietnamese vessels in Brunei's waters.

Both leaders underscored the significance of maintaining ASEAN's solidarity, unity, and centrality in the region and bolstering cooperation in regional and international issues of mutual concerns. Brunei affirmed its support for Việt Nam's hosting of the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) in 2025 and APEC chairmanship in 2027.

Regarding the East Sea issue, they emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters and settling disputes by peaceful means and in accordance with international laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They agreed to continue close coordination to maintain solidarity, consensus, and the outcomes that ASEAN has obtained in the issue.

In closing, the Sultan expressed his expectation for his upcoming visit to Việt Nam and invited President Cường to visit Brunei soon. 

VNS