On the morning of January 17 (local time), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Michal Fijol, Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of LOT Polish Airlines, in Warsaw during his official visit to Poland.

LOT Airlines, Poland’s national carrier and a founding member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is among the world’s oldest continuously operating airlines. As of August 2024, LOT operates a fleet of 80 aircraft, serving 105 destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America.

During the meeting, Fijol congratulated Vietnam on its economic and aviation sector achievements, highlighting the country’s significant potential for aviation development. He recalled LOT’s successful launch of the Warsaw-Hanoi route in 2010, initially a unique connection among European airlines. However, the route was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expressing LOT’s desire to rebuild its business ties with Vietnam, Fijol announced plans to resume the Warsaw-Hanoi route. LOT has also been operating charter flights between Warsaw and Phu Quoc, bringing 15,000 Polish tourists to Vietnam in 2024.

Prime Minister Chinh welcomed LOT’s effective operations despite global challenges and praised its cooperation with Vietnam Airlines in passenger and cargo transport. He emphasized the importance of aviation in fostering connectivity, cultural exchange, and economic integration.

Vietnam, with its expanding aviation infrastructure - including the construction of Long Thanh Airport and the expansion of Tan Son Nhat, Phu Quoc, and Nha Trang airports - offers a favorable environment for LOT to resume operations.

The Prime Minister called on LOT to take the lead in reopening direct flights to Vietnam and to continue its collaboration with Vietnam Airlines, exploring charter flight models to bring tourists to popular destinations such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Ha Long, and Phu Quoc. He also suggested the two airlines work together on a "one route, multiple destinations" approach to boost tourism in the region.

He encouraged LOT to serve as Vietnam Airlines’ gateway to Central and Eastern Europe, while Vietnam Airlines could act as LOT’s bridge to Southeast Asia.

Vietnam’s government, the Prime Minister assured, is committed to providing the best conditions for LOT and other Polish investors to operate successfully and sustainably in Vietnam.

Polish pharmaceutical group seeks expanded investment in Vietnam

On the same day, Prime Minister Chinh also met with Malgorzata Adamkiewicz, Chairwoman of Adamed, a leading Polish pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation.

Adamed employs over 2,500 people and operates two manufacturing facilities in Poland and one in Vietnam. The company has played a key role in modernizing the R&D center and production plant of Davipharm in Binh Duong, one of the few Vietnamese pharmaceutical companies meeting EU-GMP standards and exporting high-quality medicines globally.

Adamkiewicz highlighted Vietnam’s investment potential, citing strong government support at all levels. She expressed Adamed’s intention to expand its presence in Vietnam and its commitment to producing high-quality pharmaceuticals, contributing to both economic development and public health.

Prime Minister Chinh congratulated Adamed on its success in Vietnam and welcomed its plans for further investment, particularly in high-tech and healthcare-related industries.

He encouraged the company to leverage Vietnam’s 17 free trade agreements (FTAs) with over 60 major markets to expand exports across ASEAN, Asia, and beyond.

The Prime Minister also called on Adamed to improve product quality, reduce costs, and strengthen its brand to reach more consumers.

Vietnam’s government, he assured, will provide all necessary support to resolve potential obstacles and facilitate Adamed’s growth in Vietnam.

VGP