At a March 21 reception for visiting Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Princess Mette Marit, Quan voiced his confidence that their trip will usher in a new period of development in bilateral ties.
Ho Chi Minh City in its role as Vietnam’s leading economic hub will make every effort to strengthen relations between the two countries, Quan said.
For his part, the Norwegian Crown Prince Magnus told his host that Norway and Vietnam hold great cooperation potential based on their longstanding, sustainable and close ties.
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| The Norwegian Crown Prince witnessed a cooperation signing ceremony between the MARD and Norway's Pharmaq Company. |
He suggested both nations should further push up their cooperation in the maritime industry, hydroelectricity, information technology, communications and industry.
The same day, the Norwegian Crown Prince and Crown Princess along with a business delegation of 130 members joined a meeting between Vietnamese and Norwegian entrepreneurs in HCM City.
Attendees said that the conclusion of Vietnam-Norway and Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will create a good opportunity for Vietnamese and Norwegian businesses to increase bilateral cooperation and establish a trade partnership.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa said Vietnam-Norway economic and trade cooperation has seen positive developments over the past years with last year’s two-way trade turnover reaching US$240 million. However, the figure is still far from matching their full potential.
Therefore, businesses should stay active in exploring each other’s market and set up more cooperative relations thus paving the way for both nations to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation, Thoa added.
In his statement, HCM City People’s Committee Vice Chairman Le Manh Ha described the meeting between business representatives as testimony to the two nations’ determination to bolster bilateral economic and trade links in the time ahead.
The Crown Prince also witnessed the signing of a cooperation document between the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)’s Animal Health Department and Norway’s Pharmaq company.
