Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh’s recent visit to the UK aimed to strengthen bilateral ties by discussing financial centre development, investment opportunities, and cooperation across various sectors. Meetings with key UK officials emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to enhancing strategic partnerships and invited British engagement in clean energy and skilled workforce training, while aiming to boost trade to over 10 billion USD.
On March 18, during his visit to the United Kingdom, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh engaged in discussions with British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle. His agenda included attending a seminar focused on financial centre development and a visit to the London Stock Exchange.
In his conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Rayner, Binh emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to forging a stronger strategic partnership with the UK. He advocated for enhanced British involvement in the Asia-Pacific region and requested assistance in financial centre development and skilled workforce training. Furthermore, Binh encouraged British investments in Vietnam’s clean and renewable energy sectors.
Deputy PM Rayner acknowledged the potential of Vietnam’s financial centre initiative and assured support from British businesses, experts, and academics. She also pointed out possible growth in trade and cooperation on energy transition while mentioning the importance of collaboration on illegal migration and organized crime. Both parties expressed a mutual goal of strengthening high-level exchanges and celebrating the 15-year milestone of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership by increasing bilateral trade to over 10 billion USD.
During his meeting with Speaker Hoyle, Binh advocated for enhanced parliamentary exchanges to further strengthen relations. Hoyle responded positively, indicating readiness to bolster cooperation in trade, investment, education, healthcare, and tourism, while reiterating continued support from the UK Parliament for bilateral relations.
The discussions included security matters and peaceful resolutions to disputes in alignment with international law to ensure regional and global stability. At a seminar organized by TheCityUK, Binh acknowledged the contributions of British experts to Vietnam’s financial centre aspirations and urged ongoing collaboration for effective regulatory frameworks.
UK Ambassador to Vietnam, Iain Frew, emphasized the importance of these financial centre projects for Vietnam’s growth and committed to continuous British support in this area. Nicola Watkinson, Managing Director of TheCityUK, noted that establishing a financial centre would enhance Vietnam’s international standing and create strong institutional frameworks for various financial entities.
At the London Stock Exchange, Binh met with CEO Julia Holgate, who reiterated positive results from bilateral stock market collaborations. Holgate committed to assisting in elevating Vietnam’s stock market status and facilitating Vietnamese companies’ listings on the London Stock Exchange, along with improving market liquidity and transparency.
Binh also engaged with Barnaby Swire, Chairman of Swire Group, urging further investment in the green and digital economies as well as development in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Swire reinforced the group’s commitment to Vietnam, including ongoing projects with Coca-Cola and Cathay Pacific, and expressed intentions to enhance aviation connectivity with major financial hubs. Additionally, he pledged to collaborate on urban planning and real estate through successful strategies applied in Hong Kong and Shanghai, while also committing further investment in Vietnam’s Empire City project.
In conclusion, the visit of Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh to the UK signifies a significant step in enhancing the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK. The discussions focused on fostering cooperation in financial development, trade, investment, and energy transition, highlighting a shared commitment to peace, stability, and economic growth. The calls for British expertise in developing Vietnam’s financial centres and investments in renewable energy underscore the potential for a mutually beneficial relationship moving forward.
Original Source: en.vietnamplus.vn
