Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn had talks with UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Alsuwaidi in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam attaches much importance to bolstering the comprehensive partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn affirmed while hosting a reception for UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Alsuwaidi in Hà Nội on Saturday.

Welcoming his guest’s appointment as the UAE minister in charge of bilateral cooperation, Son spoke highly of Alsuwaidi’s visit as well as the field trips to Việt Nam by major corporations from the Middle Eastern country to study investment opportunities here. He described them as concrete activities to carry out the commitments between Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and UAE leaders during the former’s trip to the country in October last year.

Alsuwaidi, for his part, welcomed his host's coming visit to the UAE and participation in the World Government Summit 2025 which will take place in the country from February 11-13, an influential UAE initiative that brings together government leaders, major corporations, and scholars to discuss future governance and technological innovation. He said he hopes that the two sides will exchange viewpoints and agree upon their significant cooperation areas during Son’s visit.

The minister went on to express the UAE's strong interest in such sectors as high technology, AI, energy, and logistics. He lauded Việt Nam's investment climate, noting growing interest from UAE investors and investment funds in the country, with several potential collaborative projects under discussion between the two sides.

Deputy PM Sơn said the abovementioned sectors are also Việt Nam's priorities, asking for the UAE's continued coordination in high-tech, AI and database centre projects as well as acceleration of digital transformation.

He also proposed the UAE consider establishing a transit and storage centre for crude oil and petrochemical products in Việt Nam, and support the Southeast Asian nation in green transition and renewable energy initiatives.

Touching on trade and logistics, Son asked the two sides to speed up the ratification and effectively implement the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, aiming to boost bilateral trade to US$20 billion as agreed by the high-level leaders of the two countries.

Việt Nam, he said, is interested in building international financial centres and free trade zones, and it seeks to leverage the UAE’s expertise as a leading regional financial hub. Besides, seaport development is an area that Việt Nam is focusing on.

At the meeting, the two parties reached consensus to advance cooperation in several key projects, including the UAE's investment in a youth football academy for the Hà Nội Police Football Club and agricultural investments to enhance the UAE's food security through rice cultivation in Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS