Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (R) receives Indian Secretary of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh in Hà Nội yesterday.— VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and India should bolster investment ties in areas of India’s strength and Việt Nam’s demand, while minimising and generally removing trade obstacles, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc told visiting Indian Secretary of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh. 

Receiving Singh in Hà Nội yesterday, Phúc expressed the hope two-way trade between Việt Nam and India will reach the targeted US$15 billion in 2020. 

He noted that Việt Nam and India have enjoyed sound traditional relations and strong mutual trust. He also lauded India’s goodwill in providing Việt Nam with a preferential credit package, as also technical assistance in several areas where it was needed. 

Việt Nam hopes that India will continue strengthening bilateral defence co-operation, the Government leader said, affirming that Việt Nam supports India in continuing its oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities in Vietnamese seas. 
Việt Nam also supports India in strengthening connectivity and links with the ASEAN in all fields, the PM said. 

PCA Secretary-General

The PM also met yesterday with Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Hugo Hanz Siblesz. He said he highly valued the PCA’s relations with Việt Nam and wished that these ties develop in a more extensive and effective manner. 
The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be assigned responsibility for connections with the PCA, Phúc said, adding that Việt Nam welcomes the court of arbitration opening an office in the country.

He said this would intensify bilateral co-operation in a result-oriented fashion. 

The PM noted that Việt Nam was exerting efforts to expand comprehensive co-operation with other countries, regions and organisations in the world. It hopes to receive the PCA’s advice and assistance in related issues as well as in training legal personnel, he said.

CEO of Taiwan’s Pou Chen Group

Phúc also received Tsai Pei-Chun, the CEO of Taiwanese group Pou Chen Group. He believes that the firm will reap more success in its Việt Nam operations, the PM said. 
He applauded the group’s manufacturing of export-oriented products as well as its charitable activities in Việt Nam, especially those targeting the poor and natural disaster victims. 
He also spoke highly of Pou Chen’s attention to training Vietnamese personnel so that they can hold important positions in the group’s offices in the country. 

The PM affirmed that the Vietnamese Government is committed to ensuring a stable macro-economy and providing the best possible conditions for all economic sectors to do business in the country. 
He asked Pou Chen to expand operations in Vietnam, suggesting that it considers investing in agriculture, especially hi-tech agriculture, since Vietnam has great potential in this field. — VNS