(MPI) - Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung had a meeting with the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) led by Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam in Hanoi on June 15.

At the meeting. Photo: MPI

Minister Dung hailed the Singaporean Embassy in Vietnam and SBF’s efforts in promoting the investment cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore, adding that its relations is flourished across all fields from politics, diplomacy, economics, trade and investment to cultural and people-to-people exchange. He asked the two sides continue to cooperate and maintain close coordination in the context of the global unpredictable changes.

During the meeting, Kok Ping Soon, SBF chief executive officer (CEO) informed the minister on the organisation of the 7th Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF), will take place in Hanoi on July 7 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Singapore diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

He said, it is the first time the SRBF will be held overseas, and choosing Vietnam shows Singapore’s trust in the Southeast Asia region. The SRBF 2023 will include a series of discussions, particularly those on sustainable development, digital transformation and personnel training.

Kok said Singaporean enterprises pay much attention to Vietnam’s business climate and focus on expanding cooperation to new growth areas such as the digital economy and digital transformation. The SBF pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to have further information on Vietnam’s environment, increasing the close partnership between the two businesses.

Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam noted with pleasure that Vietnam is an important partner of Singapore in the region. He told his host that Singaporean businesses always want to expand their investment and business in the Southeast Asian country, so the SBRF is an important event that both demonstrates the two countries’ good relations and Vietnam’s increasing role in foreign investment attraction.

In reply, Minister Dung affirmed that his ministry will actively exchange ideas with SBF and the Singaporean Embassy in Vietnam to implement specific cooperation contents, and asking the federation to continue act as a bridge to bolster cooperation between both businesses and Governments.

He called for continued coordination from the SBF to connect and support businesses of both countries, particularly promoting investment cooperation in the areas of Singapore’s strengths and Vietnam’s demands such as digital, knowledge and circular economy, renewable energy, sustainable industrial parks and green finance. He also suggested the joint working group in innovation to accelerate their discussion and collaboration./.

Bao Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment