President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan chaired a Vietnam-India Business Forum in New Delhi on March 21 during his official visit to India.

The event was jointly organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to provide a chance for the business circles of the two countries to further their partnership.

Addressing the event, the VFF leader emphasized Vietnam’s success in shifting from a centralized economy to a market economy as a result of the Doi Moi (renovation) policy launched in 1986.

He noted that the country has seen an average growth of 6.7 percent annually during the past 28 years, 1.36 times higher than that of other newly-emerged and developing countries, and 2.8 times the rate in developed economies, adding that from a country facing food shortage, Vietnam has become one of the world largest exporters of farm produce.

He highlighted that India has become one of the top 10 largest trade partners of Vietnam, with two-way trade rose 77 times in the past decade, hitting 5.6 billion USD last year from only 72.1 million USD in 1995.

Nhan urged businesses of both countries to seek more partnership opportunities to tap the still great potential and further boost bilateral economic-trade ties.

According to Sanjay Bhattacharyya, head of the South Division at the Foreign Ministry and Sudhr Kapur, CII Chairman, India hopes that many opportunities will open up for both sides once India and ASEAN realise the free trade agreement on service and investment.

Vietnam is an attractive destination for Indian investors, they said, noting that in 2013, India has 77 projects worth 254 million USD in Vietnam, while Vietnam also invested 24 million USD in projects in India .

Bhattacharyya said after ASEAN and India signed the FTA in goods, trade between India and Vietnam had increased by 4 times. The figure is expected to reach 20 billion USD in 2020, he stated.

India is keen on investing in infrastructure and information technology in Vietnam , he declared, adding that finance-banking is also a potential cooperation area.

Meanwhile, Kapur said after an economic corridor between Mekong Sub-region and India is set up to link India’s northeastern localities with Vietnam, economic and trade ties between the two countries will be boosted.

He proposed that both sides should work more closely in human resources training and share experience in various areas, including agriculture, while enhancing cooperation in production and export to a third country.

VFF leader discusses cultural relations with Indian official

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan on March 22 had a meeting with President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Lokesh Chandra who suggested that both sides should carry out specific programmes to foster their cultural connections.

Prof. Chandra proposed the opening of centres for Vietnam studies in India and similar facilities in Vietnam, while launching Vietnamese language faculties in India’s universities, thus facilitate mutual understanding and connections.

Nhan, who is on an official visit to India, thanked the Indian Government and people for their support to Vietnam during the country’s past struggle for liberation as well as current national construction.

He spoke highly of the growing cultural relations between the two countries, citing as example India’s help in restoring Cham towers in Vietnam and the grant of scholarships to Vietnamese students.

He said he believes that with the traditional solidarity and friendship as well as effective cooperation programmes, the Vietnam-India ties will become more fruitful in the future, meeting the aspirations and interest of both peoples.

The same day, the VFF leader paid a floral tribute to Indian late leader Mahatma Gandhi at his grave.

He also visited the Vietnamese Embassy in India, during which he urged the embassy to give more advices to and work closely with agencies at home to draw out plans to foster the economic-trade partnership between the two countries.

VFF President meets Indian communist parties’ leaders

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan had separate meetings with leaders of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the CPI – Marxist (CPI-M) in New Delhi on March 21 as part of his ongoing official visit to India.

The VFF leader, who is also a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Politburo, highlighted the time-honoured friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the CPV and the two Indian communist parties.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people are grateful for the valuable support that the Indian parties and people have given to Vietnam during the cause of national liberation, construction and development.

The official called on the Indian parties to continuously back the multi-faceted cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries for the interests of the two peoples, as well as peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and across the world.

He also took this occasion to inform the Indian parties of the CPV’s 12 th National Congress to be held in early 2016 – a major event to review the implementation of the national socio-economic development plan for 2010-2015; map out orientations in the coming years; and elect a new Central Committee for the 2016-2021 tenure.

The host parties informed the guest of their development and the situation in India , and discussed the current developments in the region and around the world.

They expressed their pleasure at the growing traditional friendship between Vietnam and India, saying they wished the two countries will exerted more efforts to strengthen the bilateral cooperative ties, particularly in economy and trade for mutual benefits and regional prosperity.-

VNA