During a reception in Hanoi on March 22 for Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Public Security Teo Chee Hean, PM Phuc said Vietnam always supports Singaporean firms to do business in the country, highlighting that Vietnam – Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) model is successful in Vietnamese localities. 

He thanked and lauded Singapore for partnering with Vietnam during development and integration, especially in training high-quality workforce, sharing experience in macro management, developing science and new economies to catch up with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

The host hailed the two countries for focusing on innovation and creativity, especially for young generations. 

The leader wished that Singaporean enterprises would join the public-private partnership in infrastructure, renewable energy, liquefied natural gas, energy, smart grid, high technology, agriculture and farm produce processing, aquaculture, apparel, wood processing, urban infrastructure, high-quality education-training, pharmaceuticals, health care, seaport logistics. 

He urged for the prompt launch of the VSIP project in the central province of Quang Tri, a software park in the central city of Da Nang, and assistance to Vietnam in building a national innovation centre. 

On the occasion, he lauded Singapore for successfully playing its role as ASEAN Chair 2018 and Coordinator of ASEAN – China relations for 2015 – 2018 

Vietnam wants Singapore to share its experience during its Year of ASEAN Chairmanship as well as work closely with Vietnam to promote priorities and initiatives within the framework of ASEAN Vision on self-reliance and creativity, he said. 

The PM also stressed that Vietnam will uphold its role in ensuring food security in the region and the world. 

Both sides shared the importance of ensuring peace, stability, maritime and aviation security and freedom in the East Sea, building a rules-based order, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea, the leader noted, suggesting that they should continue close joint work within the framework of ASEAN and relevant forums, maintaining the bloc’s solidarity, role and common voice on the East Sea issue, particularly ongoing complicated issues. 

PM Phuc said ASEAN needs to actively build a rules-based order in the East Sea, step up measures to build trust, ease tension and prevent incidents. 

He spoke highly of Singapore’s role in ASEAN – China negotiations on the draft Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) and proposed mutual support in the process. 

The development of the Vietnam – Singapore ties is beneficial to ASEAN Community, he said. 

Singaporean Deputy PM Teo, for his part, informed the host about the outcomes of his talks with Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh. 

He congratulated Vietnam on successfully holding the second USA – DPRK Summit and preparing to assume its role as ASEAN Chair by 2020, vowing that Singapore will actively support Vietnam in the near future. 

Teo suggested promoting technological innovation space for businesses, especially start-ups. 

According to him, Singapore wants to import more high-quality Vietnamese farm produce. 

The two nations should expand aviation industry, air routes, defence cooperation and linkage in services and finance, he said, suggesting stepping up customs clearance, financial e-transactions, and legal framework for trade and investment. 

Singapore commits all possible support to Vietnam’s assumption of ASEAN Chair 2020 and appreciates Vietnam’s role in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), he said. 

He expressed his hope that both sides will soon conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) deal. 

On the East Sea issue, he said Singapore consistently advocates that every dispute must be settled by peaceful means to ensure maritime and aviation security and safety.-VNA