Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyễn Văn Bình with Minister of Finance, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage of New Zealand Grant Robertson. — VNA/VNS Photo Phương Hoa

HÀ NỘI — Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyễn Văn Bình hosted a reception in Hà Nội on Wednesday for Minister of Finance, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage of New Zealand, Grant Robertson.

Bình expressed his delight at the development of bilateral ties in politics, external affairs, economy-trade-development assistance, education-training, and people-to-people exchange as the two countries celebrate the 10th anniversary of comprehensive partnership this year and the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties next year. 

Since the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2009, two-way trade has grown by 14 per cent annually, exceeding the US$1 billion benchmark in 2018, he said. 

The Party official expressed his belief the figure will rise to $1.7 billion next year on the back of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) of which both nations are members. 

He expected New Zealand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and New Zealand and Việt Nam in particular would enhance collaboration to fully realise the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and soon conclude negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). 

Both sides agreed to continue stepping up ties in education and labour amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

Robertson said that New Zealand highly evaluated Việt Nam’s socio-economic development, considering the country an important partner in the region. 

New Zealand pledged to support and work closely with Việt Nam next year when Việt Nam will become the ASEAN Chair, and New Zealand and ASEAN celebrate the 45th anniversary of dialogue relations and the fifth anniversary of strategic partnership, he said. 

The minister wished that Việt Nam would share its experience when New Zealand hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum in 2021. — VNS