PANO – Vietnamese Minister of Investment and Planning Bui Quang Vinh and French Minister of External Commerce Nicole Bricq co-chaired the First Vietnam-France Annual High-Level Economic Dialogue on April 9th in Hanoi, on the occasion of the France-Vietnam Year 3013 and Vietnam-France Year 2014.

The two sides signing agreements

The two ministers highly valued the establishment of this dialogue mechanism, which is expected to focus on the structure of economic ties between the two nations and meetings between businesses from the two countries in direction toward a Vietnam-France strategic partnership.

At the first dialogue, they agreed to closely coordinate actions in order to boost economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Although the bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries have seen great achievements in such areas as aviation, pharmaceuticals, food, tourism and energy infrastructure, these relations have not tapped all existing potentials and need to be brought to a higher level.

Businesses from the two countries are expected to play an important role in this process.

Two ministers signing agreements

The two ministers committed to provide favourable conditions for them to accelerate the process and do specific actions to lift barriers to entering the two markets, affecting trade exchanges.

Regarding the project on supporting development, Minister Bricq agreed in principle on the proposal from Minister Vinh on additional capital for the project to build the 3rd urban railway route in Hanoi and project on the equipment of Can Tho Hospital.

At the plenary meeting, the two minsiters listened to opinions and proposals from experts and businessmen and explained policies to them.

Within the framework of the Vietnam-France Business Forum, which took place from April 7-9 in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, drew 100 French companies and 500 local businesses and saw 1,000 business-to-business meetings, the two sides also signed a number of agreements.

Hoang Quan