Vietnam considers the US an important partner and is willing to bolster the bilateral ties in all fields, especially in economic cooperation, trade, investment, science-technology, and education and training, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has affirmed.

 

The Deputy PM made the statement while attending a meeting, organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Amcham)’s Hanoi chapter in the capital city on January 18, to celebrate 25 years of the normalisation of the Vietnam-US trade relations, and the 25th founding anniversary of Amcham in Vietnam.

 

At the meeting, he affirmed that the normalisation and development of Vietnam-US relations have resulted in great interest for the people of the two nations, contributing to regional and international peace, stability, cooperation, and growth.

 

In the past 25 years, two-way trade surged nearly 120 times, from 450 million USD in 1994 to more than 60 billion USD in 2018. The US has been Vietnam’s largest export market for several consecutive years. 

 

Investment from the US has greatly contributed to Vietnam’s development. The activities of GE, Microsoft, IBM, Nike, ExxonMobil, and other US firms, have helped Vietnam earn and sustain a foothold in the global value chain, Hue noted.

 

Speaking highly of Amcham’s achievements over the last 25 years, he voiced his hope that Amcham will continue to serve as a bridge connecting the two nations, thereby deepening and bringing the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership to a new height.

 

Chairwoman of the 2019 Amcham Board of Governors Natasha Ansell said the normalisation of Vietnam-US relations have opened up opportunities for US enterprises and investors to develop in Vietnam’s market. 

 

On the occasion, she revealed that a new programme titled Amcham Academy for High Potential Talent will be launched to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the organisation. 

 

The programme is hoped to offer chances to learn and connect to young Vietnamese leaders, as part of Amcham’s commitment to creating sustainable socio-economic values for Vietnam, Ansell said. –VNA