PM Lee Hsien Loong welcomed in Hanoi, Vietnam-Singapore sign 7 deals

Minh Nguyen

Aug 28, 2023 / 01:41 PM

Economic ties remain high on the agenda of the two prime ministers, who have met six times over the past two years.

Vietnam and Singapore today [August 28] signed seven agreements during the three-day visit to Hanoi by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The signing of agreements took place after the welcome ceremony and meeting hosted by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The agreements cover education and training, economic connection, innovation, environment, and infrastructure.

Accordingly, the two sides inked an agreement on a thematic research program for senior officials of the Communist Party of Vietnam for 2024-2026; amendments to the Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Framework Agreement (CFA) signed in 2005; the Singapore-Vietnam Innovation Talent Exchange Program; education sector; skills and manpower development; environment cooperation, and development of sustainable infrastructure in Ho Chi Minh City.

Lee Hsien Loong’s visit is his fifth to Vietnam and the sixth between him and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh over the past two years.

In PM Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Singapore in February 2023, the two countries reached the Green-Digital Economic Partnership, adding to the Strategic Partnership upgraded from comprehensive relations 10 years ago. The two sides agreed that cooperation in emerging areas like renewable energy, carbon credits, and the digital economy will boost their economic ties.

During Chinh's visit, Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore, as the leading investor in Vietnam over the past three years, has demonstrated its confidence in the country’s economy and prospects.