Da Nang (VNA) – Vietnam regards the US as its leading important trade andinvestment partner, President Tran Dai Quang said in a meeting withrepresentatives of more than 60 US enterprises in central Da Nang city onNovember 8. 

The meeting was jointly held by the US-APEC Business Coalition (USABC) and theVietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) within the framework of theongoing APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.

The President said the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership has been developingfruitfully, adding that recent visits by high-ranking leaders have reflectedthe significance of the bilateral relationship, for the sake of the twocountries, and for peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the worldat large.

Trade and investment cooperation has become a foundation and driving force forbilateral ties, he noted, saying the US is now a leading trade partner and the7th biggest foreign investor in Vietnam.

Vietnam welcomes President Donald Trump’s attendance at the APEC EconomicLeaders’ Meeting and his State visit to the country, President Quang said,adding this is the first time a US President has visited Vietnam in the firstyear of his term.

President Trump’s selection of Vietnam as his first destination in SoutheastAsia is of significance to the bilateral relationship and carry the US’smessage of policy towards Asia-Pacific, he said.

[AP🎶EC 2017: US President’s visit aims to boost ties with Vietnam]

President Quang lauded the participation of many leading US groups specialisingin information-technology, pharmacy, food, health care and high-tech in APECactivities since the beginning of this year.

Welcoming US businesses investing in the fields of high-tech, energy andinfrastructure in Vietnam, the President suggested the USABC continue to seekingeffective, long-term, mutually-beneficial business opportunities in the countryand serve as a bridge for US firms to operate in the Southeast Asian nation.

He also called on the USABC to urge the US Government to soon recognizeVietnam’s market economy, and enhance trade and investment links with Vietnam.

Vietnam has paid heed to infrastructure development such as airports, seaportsand roads and has invested in high-tech to meet requirements of the fourthindustrial revolution, he added.

At the meeting, representativesof US firms praised Vietnam’s thorough preparations for the APEC EconomicLeaders’ Week as well as the country’s efforts to create a favourable businessenvironment for US enterprises.

The USABC affirmed that US firms will contribute more to the Vietnam-UScomprehensive partnership in the time ahead.-VNA