 |
| Jaya Ratnam, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam (Photo: VGP) |
Mr. Jaya Ratnam, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam, made the comment when evaluating the results of the recent visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his wife and high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, to Singapore on February 8-10 at the invitation of his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong.
The Ambassador said that the official visit was the start of a series of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Partnership in 2023.
Accordingly, the leaders of the two countries agreed to sign important documents contributing to strengthening the relationship between the two countries, such as the Memorandum of Understanding on establishing the Vietnam - Singapore partnership on the digital and green economy, maritime cooperation and youth exchange.
On this occasion, the leaders of the two countries also discussed the situation of regional and international development and agreed on the importance of sharing benefits in the face of common challenges to cooperate and enhance regional integration.
In addition, economic cooperation was one of the main focuses of the visit. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the Vietnam - Singapore Business Forum, attracting more than 600 delegates, reflecting the great trust and interest that Singaporean business and investor communities have in Vietnam.
The Prime Minister also witnessed the awarding ceremony of cooperation decisions and agreements between agencies and localities of the two countries, such as the Decision approving investment for VSIP Nghe An Industrial Park 2.
The Ambassador said that, established in 1996, VSIP has become a symbol of Vietnam-Singapore relations with 13 industrial parks spread across provinces and cities in the three regions of Vietnam, creating jobs for over 300,000 employees and attracting more than USD18 billion of investment capital.
The Ambassador expressed optimism about the potential development of economic relations between Vietnam and Singapore in many fields, including the development of the green economy and digital economy.
He also assessed that Vietnam is still a "very interesting" destination in the eyes of all foreign investors. This can be seen from the strong FDI inflows into Vietnam and the successful operating model of VSIP.
"We can see many other areas where Singapore can invest in Vietnam such as logistics and renewable energy," he said.
According to the Ambassador, after the official visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister, the Embassy of Singapore in Vietnam will continue to coordinate with the Vietnamese side to organize a series of events that contribute to strengthening Vietnam-Singapore relations in 2023.
In March, the Singapore Business Association in Vietnam will hold a Women Leaders Forum on the occasion of International Women's Day. This is one of the activities that bring the two countries closer together.
In 2023, the Singapore Business Association (SBA) will host the Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) for the first time in Hanoi, after the forums have been successfully held in Singapore over the past six years. The important event is expected to attract nearly 400 business leaders and officials of the two countries, effectively contributing to the series of commemorative activities of the two countries.
At the end of October, the two sides will jointly organize a cultural event attracting young people and entrepreneurs from both countries in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
In particular, the Singapore side is actively preparing the official visit of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Vietnam in the appropriate time in 2023./.