Switzerland wants to step up EFTA-Vietnam FTA talks
Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin is leading a business and science delegation to Japan and Vietnam.
Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin. (Photo: wbf.admin.ch)
Geneva (VNA) – Head of the Swiss Federal Department of EconomicAffairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin is leading a business and sciencedelegation to Japan and Vietnam.
In Vietnam, the continuation of negotiations on a FTA between EFTAcountries – including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein – andVietnam will be at the top of the agenda.
According to the Swiss Federal Council, Parmelin is accompanied byrepresentatives from Swiss firms and the Swiss education, research andinnovation landscape and his Vietnam trip includes visits to a number ofeconomic development cooperation projects.
According to Parmelin, Switzerland wants to further develop trade withVietnam, whose economy has been growing at an above-average rate for severalyears now.
The annual volume of trade between Vietnam and Switzerland amounted toaround 2 billion CHF (2 billion USD) in 2018, an increase of about 5 percent.This makes Vietnam Switzerland’s fourth largest trading partner in SoutheastAsia.
Figures from the Swiss National Bank show that Swiss companies have sofar invested a total of around 690 million CHF (694 million USD) in Vietnam,and are represented in numerous sectors.
Switzerland has been Vietnam’s economic development partner for over 25years and is currently running 40 different projects.
As Vietnam inked a FTA with the European Union, the country has metcertain international standards, Parmelin said. –VNA
Vietnam and Norway hold potential of trading goods via electronic platform, experts said at a seminar held by the Ho Chi Minh City chapter of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Trading Foe company on June 28.
Vietnam always attaches much importance to intensifying the friendship and traditional cooperation with Switzerland, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh said while meeting with Swiss President Ueli Maurer in Bern on July 3.
Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh is leading a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 29th Global Summit of Women and conduct several bilateral activities in Switzerland from July 3-7.
Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh called on the Canton of Bern of Switzerland to enhance partnerships with Vietnamese localities while meeting with its governor Christoph Ammann in Bern city on July 5.
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin. (Photo: wbf.admin.ch)
