Promoting Vietnam - Spain economic cooperation

(Chinhphu.vn) - During his working trip to Spain, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc attended and spoke at the Vietnam - Spain Business Forum.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and leaders of Vietnamese and Spanish businesses.

At the forum, leaders of PVN Group, VNPT Group, Vietnam National Shipping Lines (VIMC) and Spanish enterprises discussed the potential for cooperation in the fields of energy, digital transformation, seaport connectivity, maritime transport, logistics, etc.

In particular, the VIMC leader emphasized that strengthening the connection between ports will create momentum to strongly promote trade between Vietnam and Spain. At the same time, he suggested that Spanish enterprises invest in and develop smart ports and green ports in Vietnam; invest in developing Logistics Centers to provide convenient, economic and green supply chain services, improve the competitiveness of import and export goods of Vietnam and Spain, and promote two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU.

Spanish businesses expressed their impression of the results Vietnam has achieved in socio-economic development in recent times, and expressed their confidence and expectation in effective cooperation to connect the two economies in the coming time.

Speaking at the seminar, the Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the opinions of representatives of associations and enterprises. At the same time, he assigned Vietnamese ministries, branches and localities to promptly review and remove difficulties and obstacles to promptly implement new and effective investment projects, bringing practical benefits to both sides.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc emphasized that Vietnam is rising with miracles that the world must recognize; the world's leading businesses and brands are all present in Vietnam.

This year Vietnam strives to achieve 8% growth, aiming for over 10% growth in the coming time.

Currently, Vietnam is investing heavily in developing infrastructure; promoting administrative reform and procedural reform to create the best service conditions for people and businesses.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the Vietnamese Government always treats all economic sectors fairly. He called on businesses to increase cooperation in the fields of energy, high-speed railways, large seaports, digital transformation, etc. Vietnam is ready to welcome Spanish businesses to cooperate for prosperous development.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that in 2024, the total two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Spain reached a record of 4.7 billion USD, an increase of 20% compared to 2023. Currently, Spain is Vietnam's 5th largest trading partner in the EU and Vietnam is Spain's largest trading partner in ASEAN.

With the open potential for cooperation, the business communities of the two countries can completely increase the bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and Spain "not the current 4.7 billion USD, but we can completely increase this number 10 times in the near future".

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and his delegation visited the Barcelona Financial Center.

* On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and his delegation visited the Barcelona Financial Center.

Barcelona Financial Centre - BCFE (1991) is an association of financial institutions in Barcelona with the aim of strengthening the city's position as a leading financial centre; promoting financial services/activities, expanding the financial structure, making investment products accessible to businesses, and strengthening the financial ecosystem with a focus on innovation and internationalization.

The Deputy Prime Minister highly appreciated the development of the Barcelona Financial Center with its role and position as one of the leading financial centers in Europe and the world according to the assessment of international organizations and experts.

It is reported that the Vietnamese National Assembly has recently passed a resolution on the development of an international financial center. In the coming time, the Vietnamese Government will urgently research, develop and issue decrees detailing the policies stipulated in the resolution to create a complete legal framework to help quickly and effectively deploy international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

In particular, Vietnam prioritizes the full and effective development of the capital market, promoting green finance and digital finance activities, developing fintech, and strengthening international cooperation with other international financial centers in the region and the world, including the Barcelona Financial Center.

The Vietnamese Government wishes to continue to cooperate closely and effectively with the Barcelona Financial Center to support consultation on preferential policy groups, policies to effectively attract financial institutions and investors, as well as institutions and policy mechanisms to operate and manage the Financial Center in Vietnam.

The Deputy Prime Minister and his delegation visited the port of Barcelona and met with Port President José Alberto Carbonel Camallonga.

Visiting the port of Barcelona and meeting with Port Chairman José Alberto Carbonel Camallonga, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that Vietnam has a coastline of more than 3,000 km, located on an important international maritime transport route with over 60% of the world's and the region's goods passing through.

In addition, with many famous scenic spots and unique culture, Vietnam welcomes tens of thousands of multinational tourists to Vietnamese ports on luxury international cruise ships and cruise ships.

Currently, Vietnam has been developing its seaport system and seaport infrastructure, with many large-scale international gateway ports such as Cai Mep - Thi Vai, Lach Huyen, Van Phong... as well as ports serving cruise ships such as Ha Long, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc...

With the strengths of Barcelona port, one of the largest cargo transit points in Spain and the port with the largest cruise ship traffic in the Mediterranean region and the fourth in the world, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the President pay attention to and promote cooperation with Vietnamese seaports for mutual development, especially supporting Vietnam in planning, building and managing smart seaports, applying digitalization and automation technology to increase operational efficiency and optimize logistics chains.

Tran Manh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/thuc-day-hop-tac-kinh-te-viet-nam-tay-ban-nha-102250704111830151.htm