Switzerland, Vietnam discuss economic opportunities

Geneva (VNA) - Trade and investment were high on the agenda of a working session
between Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan and Swiss Vice President Loris
Leuthard, in Geneva on January 29.

Leuthard, also Economic Minister, asked Vietnam to consider negotiations on a
free trade area between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), that
consists of Switzerland , Norway , Iceland and Lichtenstein.

She told Nhan, who doubles as Minister of Education and Training, that education
and training was placed high in the Switzerland 's cooperation programme with
Vietnam . Leuthard welcomed Vietnam 's initiative in signing a framework on
tourist training, describing the project as of great potential.

The host also proposed an air route between Vietnam and Switzerland in order
to further develop commercial, investment and tourist cooperation which is faring
well so far.

Switzerland always places Vietnam top in its official development assistance
(ODA) policy with priority given to assistance in global integration and post-WTO
development, Leuthard emphasised, asking for Vietnam 's feedback regarding a
Swiss-funded project to improve the Ministry of Industry and Trade's capacity
after Vietnam joined the WTO.

In a dialogue with some 30 CEOs and executive directors from world giants on the
sidelines of the World Economic Forum held in Davos , Switzerland , on the same
day, Deputy PM Nhan pledged further administrative reforms to create better
investment climate and an equal playground for all businesses.

He also assured foreign businesses of Vietnam 's efforts to soon put in place
market economy institutions, including the capital market.

"With a foothold in Vietnam, businesses are accessible to a market of 86 million
customers and chances to expand into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
with an over 600 million strong population and even broader markets as a number of
free trade areas grouping the ASEAN with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea are
in the making," said the Deputy PM.

The business leaders appreciated Vietnam 's success in containing inflation and
maintaining high economic growth as well as foreign investment attraction over the
past year.

President-cum-Executive Manager Nicholas E.Billotti of the US 's Turner
International LLC highlighted Vietnam 's advantages such as hard working and
educated workforce.

The dialogue, under the co-chair of WEF-Asia Chief Sushant Palakurthi Rao, also
examined Vietnam 's development directions, particularly those concerning
infrastructure planning and human resource training.-Enditem