Vietnam owns a coastline of 3,260 km, so it needs to attract experts on marine economy to support the nation’s development, Prof. John A.Quelch, Senior Associate Dean at Harvard Business School told a VietNamNet reporter.

President Tran Dai Quang meets with Prof. Quelch.

It is also important for Vietnam to build a comprehensive marine strategy, and gather resources in order to create connections among agencies in this industry, he said.

“It was actually a knowledgeable meeting,” said Prof. John A.Quelch when he was asked about the meeting with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang. 

Prof. Quelch said that at first, he was puzzled by the dignified manner of the President. Not until President Quang demonstrated his respect for initiatives on peace and security introduced in Boston Global Forum, which Prof. John A.Quelch is also a co-founder, did the conversation between them become more open.   

President Quang ensured that Vietnam highly appreciates the contribution of international scholars and experts to help Vietnam boost its sustainable development, increase competitiveness and overcome the middle-income trap.

The President also expressed the wish that Prof. Quelch, with his valuable experience in building national brand, and other international experts and scholars would continue to support Vietnam to promote its image. 

The President hoped that the Harvard Professor and international experts could strengthen their cooperation and experience sharing with Vietnam, and conduct surveys and announce initiatives in the areas related to sustainable development and international economic integration.

Mr. Quang also said that Vietnam is a responsible nation and it will play an active role in protecting its territory and contributing to keep peace and security in the region and the world.

Prof. John A.Quelch started his visit to Vietnam on July 26. The meeting with President Quang was the most important event during the visit this time. The US professor also met with Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung.

During the talk with Deputy Prime Minister Dung, Prof. Quelch gave some recommendations to Vietnam such as creating a safe environment, building prestigious and high-quality universities and research institutes. 

The US professor stressed that one of Vietnam’s disadvantages is a 3,260-km length coastline, so the nation should attract experts on marine economy to help Vietnam develop.

The Senior Associate Dean of Harvard Business School confirmed that it was not easy to duplicate South Korea's success in industrial manufacturing again; therefore, in this century Vietnam should go straight to a knowledge-based economy as well as create special zones for a knowledge-based economy with favorable policies. 

Moreover, policies in these zones should be compatible with others of developed countries such as the US or Western European countries, he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Dung said that the Vietnamese Government’s objectives include being a serving government, giving the right of making decisions and choosing which industries to develop, to enterprises and the people. 

The Government is concentrating on developing socio-economic infrastructure, especially urban transport infrastructure, creating connections across transportation in Vietnam including roads, railways, airlines and waterways, and developing marine economy.

The economic development of maritime, coastal and marine tourism, harbors and coastal economic zones is a breakthrough to take advantage of marine potential.

This was the second time Prof. Quelch met with Mr. Dung. Previously, Prof. Quelch once had an opportunity to meet Mr. Dung when he was the Party Chief of Vinh Phuc Province. Prof. Quelch’s impression at that time is that Mr. Dung was an enthusiastic and ambitious leader.

During his visit, Prof. Quelch also met with some Vietnamese entrepreneurs. 

Lan Ạnh