VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam boasts potential for becoming the US’ big trade partner in the region, said US Secretary of State John Kerry when visiting HCM City as part of his trip to Vietnam from December 14-17.

Meeting with the Vietnamese business community on December 14, Kerry praised the positive development of Vietnam-US relations, noting that bilateral trade has grown steadily from US$55,000 in 1995 to US$25 billion currently.

The two sides are on the right track to bring trade links to a higher level.

The US has initially provided US$4.2 million for its relevant agencies to work out programmes on building a strategic partnership between the two sides.

Kerry affirmed his country’s willingness to support Vietnam in higher education programme aiming to train high-quality human resources.

During his stay in HCM City, he met with staff and lecturers from the Fulbright Economics Teaching Programme and witnessed the General Electrics (GE) Group and Cong Ly Company signing the second phase of equipment package provision worth US$92 million for a wind power plant in Bac Lieu.

Earlier, the US diplomat visited the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica in HCM City.

US State Secretary visits old battlefield

A crowd of local people, students and leaders have gathered at Kien Vang wharf in Rach Goc Town, Ngoc Hien District in Ca Mau Province to welcome US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Kerry announced the funding of a project in the south-west region and met with students at Ca Mau Community College before visiting former battlefields in the Mekong delta region on December 15.

The US state secretary used to be a commander of a naval patrol team in the Mekong Delta during the late 1960s and was seriously injured three times throughout the war in Vietnam.

The US politician will leave Ca Mau for Hanoi on December 16 to discuss cooperation issues of common concern.

VOV/TTXVN