Vietnam remains Singapore's Important Partner in ASEAN
27/8/2022| 22:06After 2 years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore recently celebrated its 77th National Day, with the participation of more than 300 Singaporean guests, diplomatic corps, scholars and representative of the Vietnamese community in the host country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Mai Phuoc Dung said that Vietnamese people are always grateful to the previous generations. They have endured many hardships and sacrifices to protect the independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Vietnam.
Ambassador Mai Phuoc Dung spoke at the ceremony. Photo: WVR
The Ambassador also announced that Vietnam has successfully controlled the Covid-19 pandemic and enjoyed a strong economic recovery after the pandemic. Vietnam's gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first six months of 2022 reached 6.42% over the same period last year.
Vietnam has always been consistent with the principles of promoting independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, he said. The Ambassador said that Vietnam's foreign policy is to develop friendly relations with countries and international institutions based on common interests, while maintaining the recognized principles of international law.
Regarding bilateral relations, Ambassador Mai Phuoc Dung said that Vietnam and Singapore have cooperated strongly in politics, economy, security and people-to-people exchanges. Within the framework of multilateral mechanisms, the two countries have cooperated with each other and with other countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
This is to promote ASEAN unity in regional affairs, building a secure, stable regional and international order based on international law.
Regarding the economy, Ambassador Mai Phuoc Dung said that by the end of June, Singapore had nearly 3,000 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of about US$70 billion. Singapore is the second largest investor in 139 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.
In the first half of 2022, Singapore is the largest foreign direct investor (FDI) in Vietnam with a total investment capital of US$4.3 billion. Bilateral trade reached US$15.7 billion, up nearly 22% over the same period in 2021. Currently, Vietnam is Singapore's 12th largest trading partner, while Singapore is Vietnam's 15th trading partner.
The ambassador also said people-to-people exchanges are another solid pillar in Vietnam-Singapore relations.
Tens of thousands of Vietnamese scholars, students and workers are living, studying and working in Singapore. They are the "ambassadors" strengthening the connection between the two countries.
Speaking at the ceremony, on behalf of the Government of Singapore, Singapore's Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo said that the longstanding relationship between the two countries, cultivated by generations of leaders of the two sides, has become more profound over the years.
Singapore's Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo. Photo: WVR
Minister Josephine Teo said Vietnam is currently one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia, an important partner and friend of Singapore in ASEAN.
The two sides cooperate closely in key areas such as trade and investment, finance, security and defence. She said the frequent exchanges between the leaders and the mutual support during the pandemic period is a testament to the close relationship between the two countries.
Minister Josephine Teo said Singapore is Vietnam's largest foreign investor in 2020 and 2021 with about US$20 billion invested in the past two years.
Ten Vietnam-Singapore industrial zones create 270,000 jobs for Vietnam. The two countries are currently working together to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, expanding cooperation in many new areas such as cybersecurity, smart cities, sustainable development and the digital economy.
Delegates attending the ceremony. Photo: WVR
Josephine Teo said that in the region, Singapore and Vietnam are close partners. As ASEAN members, the two countries have worked closely and shared common views on regional issues. The two sides pledged to strengthen ASEAN solidarity and deepen regional economic integration.
On August 15, a ceremony marking Singgapore's 57th National Day was hosted by the Singaporean Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Addressing the event, Mr. Roy Kho Ngee Seng, Singaporean Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that, since Singapore and Vietnam established diplomatic relations, the bilateral relationship has always been good and developed strongly in all fields, from politics and economy to culture, defence and education.
People-to-people exchanges have been bolstered as about 3,000 Singaporean citizens are living and working in HCM City and neighbouring localities, while many Vietnamese are also living in Singapore, he added.
According to Mr. Roy Kho Ngee Seng, Singapore was the largest FDI investor in Vietnam in the past 2 years and in the first half of this year. In the first 6 months of this year, Singapore is still the largest investor in Vietnam with FDI capital of more than USD4.1 billion, accounting for 29.5% of total FDI into Vietnam. This is a clear demonstration of the trust that Singaporean businesses have in Vietnam and also shows the deep friendship between the two countries and two peoples.
TRANG NGUYEN
