HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hà Kim Ngọc called for governmental co-operation and active citizen roles in researching and creating conditions for partnerships with Canada in three fields: development co-operation, education-training, and trade and investment.

He made the statement at a discussion titled “Meet in Canada” jointly hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Canadian Embassy in Việt Nam and Hà Nội’s People’s Committee in Hà Nội yesterday.

Nearly 200 representatives of ministries, sectors, localities, APEC business communities, Canadian enterprises and non-governmental organisations in Việt Nam joined the meeting.

“The relationship between Việt Nam and Canada stands in front of a historic opportunity,” Deputy Minister Ngọc said.

“Việt Nam attaches significant importance to promoting partnership with Canada. The brightest point in the two countries’ relationship is trade and investment collaboration,” he added.

Việt Nam is Canada’s largest trade partner in ASEAN region. Bilateral trade co-operation reached US$4.6 billion in 2015, almost six times higher than the 2010 figure.

In the first nine months of last year, trade reached $3.4 billion. The two nations aim to gain $10 billion in the next ten years.

According to Đặng Xuân Quang, deputy head of Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, in 40 years of co-operation, Canadian investment into Việt Nam has reached $5.1 billion, with a focus on industry, medicine and real estate.

He believes Canadian businesses have advantages in investment in Việt Nam, as the two countries have the firm foundation of a bilateral relationship and comprehensive partnership.

“Canada has a competitive advantage in meeting Vietnamese demand, especially in agricultural mechanic manufacturing, pharmacy, telecommunications, bio-technology, education and training,” he said.

Delivering a speech at the discussion, Chairman of Hà Nội’s People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung said that Canada is one of 72 countries and territories investing in Hà Nội with 23 projects worth $ 7.7 million of total registered capital.

“Hà Nội continues to regard Canada as an extremely important partner and wants to call for investment in hi-tech agriculture, finance, education-training, medical sector, commercial service, renewable energy, urban infrastructure development and tourism,” he said.

“The local authorities commit to creating the best conditions for Canadian investors and overseas Vietnamese to have a stable and beneficial business climate. We will continue to maintain frequent dialogues and strengthen investment promotion with the Canadian business community,” he said.

Kate Reekie, head of Development Co-operation of Canadian Embassy in Việt Nam said that Canada has given Việt Nam CA$20 million ($15.2 million) of support per year for bilateral programmes involved in economic growth and democratic government.

Canada is working with Trà Vinh, Sóc Trăng, Hà Tĩnh provinces in banking investment, post-secondary education, legislative development.

In particular, Canada attaches importance to agriculture--linking agriculture with market and ensure tradable commodities, she said.

Canada’s future orientations in assisting Việt Nam focus on adaptation to climate change, gender equality, and helping the country to achieve sustainable development goals.

Participants agreed that despite remarkable achievements, the bilateral relationship has yet to meet the requirements and wishes of the two sides.

Ping Kitnikone, Canadian Ambassador to Việt Nam said that Vietnamese localities should boost their efforts to attract Canadian investors, especially in industrial production, hi-tech agriculture, tourism. She wants Vietnamese localities to create robust mechanisms, open and transparent policies and thriving human resource training to meet the demands of Canadian investors. — VNS