(VOVworld)- Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt has begun a two-day official visit to Vietnam. The visit demonstrates the development of bilateral ties between the two countries, especially in economics and trade.

With a tight working schedule during a two-day visit to Vietnam including talks and meetings with senior Vietnamese leaders, Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt is due to participate in seminars on investment cooperation and witnessed signing of several trade agreements between Vietnamese and Danish enterprises. Prior to the visit, Danish Ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen said the Danish Prime Minister’s presence at these events demonstrates the Prime Minister and Danish government’s support of economic and trade relations between the two countries. During the visit, Prime Minister Schmidt will launch a growth campaign in Vietnam, a step toward the signing of a comprehensive cooperation agreement between the two countries in Copenhagen next year.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt

Since the two countries established their diplomatic ties in November 1971, Vietnam has always been a priority in Denmark’s foreign policy. Denmark was the first Western country to recognize and set up diplomatic ties with Vietnam. Denmark strongly supported Vietnam’s struggle for independence in the past and supports its current international integration.

Ambassador John Nielsen said Vietnam is one of the 10 emerging markets Danish leaders and enterprises are most interested in. Two-way trade turnover between the two countries reached 400 million USD last year, a sharp increase from 300 million USD in the previous year. With a total registered capital of more than 620 million USD, Denmark ranks 25^th among 93 countries and territories invested in Vietnam and 7^th among EU investors. There are 130 Danish enterprises in Vietnam involved in the processing industry, manufacturing, and real estate. Ambassador John Nielsen said: “I think there are a lot of opportunities for joint-cooperation between Danish and Vietnamese companies. We think that Vietnam is an attractive market because of the low wage cost here compared to other countries. And many of the Danish companies are able to bring in new technology and the know-how training skill which can be combined with the opportunities here”.

After more than 40 years of boosting bilateral ties, leaders of both countries aim to raise their relationship to a new level. The two countries hope to increase two-way trade turnover. Vietnam intends to attract further investment by being one of the 10 most efficient economies in the world and Denmark intends to exploit the market potential of Vietnam’s 86 million people. Ambassador Nielsen again: “I think many of the companies here should focus a lot on improving the technology of the companies and the Danish companies actually have a lot of work technology in the sector. I also think that the Danish companies can bring in new ways of design, brands which are not so common here.  Besides, Danish companies who can bring these things can work together with the Vietnamese companies. I'm sure that could improve the competitiveness of the whole sector including footwear, and clothing and accessories and so on”.

Vietnam and Denmark have agreed to work more closely in implementing ODA projects funded by Denmark. So far, Denmark has provided about 1 billion USD to assist Vietnam in agriculture, culture, environment and poverty reduction. Though Vietnam has become a middle income country, Denmark has pledged to provide ODA to Vietnam until 2015 focusing on climate change. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang says the commitment shows Denmark’s appreciation of Vietnam’s effective use of ODA. “The Vietnamese government and relevant agencies pay special attention to Denmark’s assistance programs. Vietnam has effectively utilized Denmark’s resources justifying their trust in us and our determination to cope with climate change”, said Quang.

Based on the fine development of bilateral ties over the past 40 years, Vietnam and Denmark look forward to new cooperation opportunities during Prime Minister Schmidt’s visit.

Anh Huyen