Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang have discussed with several
Australian ministers an array of issues regarding the two countries’
cooperation in trade and energy during Hoang’s visit to Australia
from April 22-28.
At Hoang’s meeting with Australian
Minister for Trade and Competitiveness Craig Emerson, the discussions
focused on how to make the best use of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand
Free Trade Agreement as well as cooperation in food hygiene, quarantine
and the transfer of seafood processing technologies.
The two ministers took note of the outcomes so far in cooperation in
policies on competitiveness, and agreed to encourage the two countries’
trade promotion agencies – the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the
Australian Trade Promotion Commission, to continue their efficient and
sustainable cooperation.
On this occasion, the
Vietnamese side called on Australia to back proposals of the
Australian Seafood Importers’ Association to open a sea food quality
control office in Vietnam in order to facilitate the export of
Vietnamese products to Australia.
The two
ministers also exchanged views on achievements as well as efforts in the
Trans-Asia Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiation process. They agreed
to tighten cooperation in negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership between ASEAN and partners.
The
Australian side said it will consider and give official opinions on the
continuation of the post-WTO technical support programme for Vietnam
through the Australian Agency for International Development.
Responding to Vietnam’s suggestions to strengthen the two
countries’ linkages in energy, the Australian minister expressed support
of the extension of the memorandum of understanding in energy
cooperation.
Hoang also met with Australian Minister
of Natural Resources, Energy and Tourism Gary Gray, during which they
discussed cooperation in oil exploration and exploitation, the
import-export of coal, the production and import-export of liquefied
natural gas and energy saving.
During the visit,
Minister Hoang witnessed the signing of a number of memoranda of
understanding and contracts for long-term coal supply and cooperation in
the fields of power and oil and gas between Vietnamese groups and
Australian partners.
He also met with the governors of
Queensland and New South Wales to seek ways to promote cooperation in
energy and trade between Vietnam and the states.-VNA