Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Tim Hughes, Senior Vice President for Global Business and Government Affairs of SpaceX, at their meeting in Hanoi on September 6. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính hosted a reception in Hà Nội on September 6 for Tim Hughes, Senior Vice President for Global Business and Government Affairs of SpaceX, a US-based provider of spacecraft, satellite launch services, and satellite communications. During the meeting, the PM called for stronger cooperation in science-technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.

The PM affirmed that Việt Nam considers the US an important partner and is eager to further deepen relations with the country, particularly in science and technology, innovation, high-tech industries, and semiconductors. These sectors have been identified as key pillars of the bilateral relationship.

With the US investing more than US$11.8 billion in over 1,300 projects in Việt Nam, PM Chính noted that economic relations between the two nations have not yet fully reflected the potential and the comprehensive strategic partnership. He emphasised that Việt Nam always creates the most favourable conditions possible for US businesses to succeed in the country, in the spirit of "harmonising interests, sharing risks."

The PM also highlighted Việt Nam's efforts in building a digital government, digital economy, digital society, and digital citizens, and expressed his wish for large technology companies, including SpaceX, to cooperate and invest in the nation.

Hughes praised Việt Nam’s business climate and announced that SpaceX is ready to invest and provide its Starlink satellite internet services in the Southeast Asian country, focusing on sectors such as education, training, and disaster prevention. He suggested that Việt Nam prepare the necessary infrastructure to maximise the project's effectiveness, aiming to provide 100 per cent internet coverage for the population.

PM Chính highly appreciated the company's ideas and investment proposals and expressed hope that these plans would soon become a reality. He affirmed that Việt Nam possesses the necessary infrastructure, mechanisms, and policies to allow companies, including SpaceX, to invest and do business effectively.

The PM urged SpaceX to collaborate with relevant Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and agencies to ensure that the cooperation project complies with Vietnamese laws and maintains network security and safety. He also encouraged further partnerships in areas where SpaceX has strengths and Việt Nam has potential.

The leader called on the US company to assist Việt Nam in technology transfer, human resources training, and management expertise. He requested SpaceX to expand partnerships with Vietnamese peers, particularly by increasing the content of high, digital, and green technologies, developing supporting industries, and providing secondary services to help Việt Nam integrate more deeply into global value chains. VNS