US business think tank in town for government talks
HA NOI — The president of the US Heritage Foundation, Edwin J Feulner, highlighted Viet Nam’s stable social environment and improved investment and international integration policies when he spoke with Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem in Ha Noi last Monday.
He also praised the Vietnamese Government for creating a level playing field for enterprises in all economic sectors, particularly small businesses, as well as speeding up administrative reforms, cutting red tape, taking the initiative in negotiating to join the World Trade Organisation and opening Viet Nam’s financial market.
"These factors paved the way for American businesses to invest in Viet Nam," Feulner said.
Khiem said that he appreciated the Heritage Foundation’s interest in Viet Nam’s investment policies and environment.
He added that Viet Nam intended to expand its relations with the US in economic, scientific-technological, trade, tourist, educational and cultural matters.
He also expressed his hope that the US help Viet Nam overcome the aftermath of the American War, particularly for the people affected by Agent Orange.
On the same day, Feulner was also received by Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien.
At the meeting, Nien expressed his delight at the positive developments in the countries’ relations in economics, trade, countering international crime and humanitarian issues such as searching for the remains of US servicemen missing in action during the war.
The minister stressed that the Smith Amendment, the US Department of Commerce’s decision on the basa and tra catfish dispute, and the fact that some local governments in the US have recognised the flag of the former Sai Gon regime, were negatively affecting the bilateral economic, trade and political relations.
Feulner said he hoped he could contribute to furthering this bilateral relationship. — VNS
