Infrastructure, human resources development crucial for Vietnam: US official
Vietnam should invest in the infrastructure system and human resources in order to enhance its role in the new global supply chain, Whitney Baird, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the US Department of State told Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper.
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam should invest in theinfrastructure system and human resources in order to enhance its role in thenew global supply chain, Whitney Baird, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretaryfor the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the US Department of Statetold Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper.
Baird, who visited Vietnam to attend the Organisation forEconomic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum,said that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the customssector of Vietnam are working together to improve the efficiency and createfavourable conditions for trading activities. The development of theinfrastructure system will support this process, she held.
Upskilling, re-skilling, and investing in education,especially in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects willhelp prepare human resources, she said, stressing that this should becontinuously implemented not only in Vietnam but also in the US and every othercountry.
The official said that the US is striving to restructure the globalsupply chain after the COVID-19 pandemic as well as geopolitical tensions andextreme weather situations, adding that the pandemic has exposed the urgentneed to diversify supply chains and Vietnam is certainly in a goodposition to be an important partner this process.
She showed delight that Vietnam has decided to join all the fourpillars of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), includingthat on supply chain.
To date, 13 countries have participated in IPEF, which is anopportunity to expand trade discussions, including those on supply chains withpartners in the Indo-Pacific region, including Vietnam, she said.
Baird said that the America Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam(AmCham) has told her about the great business climate in Vietnam. According toher, Vietnam has many good competitive advantages in the region. She underlinedthe need to ensure women's full participation in all areas of life so that theycan truly tap into a country's growth potential.
Baird also highlighted the significance of increasedinvestment in clean energy transition, electric vehicles as the direction forthe future./.
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Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
