Davos (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc left Davos,Switzerland, on January 25 afternoon (local time), wrapping up his four-dayvisit to attend the annual conference of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2019.

Earlier, he met with executives of leadinginternational groups in finance and infrastructure such as Visa, Generali, BankJulius Baer, and the Development Bank of Japan.

He informed them that Vietnam enjoyed a GDP growthrate of 7.1 percent in 2018 – the highest level it has gained in 10 years, withits macro-economy and monetary market stabilized, inflation curbed, thebusiness and investment environment improved.

Most of the executives spoke highly of Vietnam’seconomic and financial achievements, believing that the Prime Minister and theGovernment will continue carrying out more drastic measures to stabilize thefinancial sector and create a better environment for enterprises to maintaintheir business and investment in the country.

On the sidelines of the WEF Davos 2019, the Vietnameseleader had a meeting with Swiss President Ueli Maurer, during which he affirmedVietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and strengthening its tieswith Switzerland.

He took the occasion to thank Switzerland forsupporting Vietnam’s candidacy to a non-permanent member post of the UNSecurity Council in the 2020-2021 tenure, and for committing an ODA of 90 millionUSD for the country in the 2017-2020 period.

Both sides agreed to select suitable projects toeffectively use the financial source, and coordinate closely at multilateralforums, especially the United Nations, to ensure the supremacy of law, peace,stability and sustainable development in the region and the world.

PM Phuc voiced his hope to welcome more Swissinvestors, especially those operating in finance-banking, insurance,manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

He also said he hopes Switzerland and the European Free TradeAssociation would have a flexible and appropriate approach to soon approve theEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), thus meeting expectations of the twosides’ business communities.

At the meeting with his counterpart from the Netherlands Mark Rutte, PM Phucspoke highly of positive developments in the friendship and multi-dimensionalcooperation between the two countries, especially within the framework of theStrategic Partnership on adaption to climate change and water management andthe Strategic Partnership on sustainable agriculture and food security.

He asserted that Vietnam always respects the assistance provided by theNetherlands in the environment, education, and agriculture and wanted theNetherlands to continue assisting the country with new programmes.

He expected the Netherlands to urge the European Union to early sign andratify the EVFTA, and support peace, stability, and navigation and overflyfreedom, security and safety in the East Sea.

At their meeting, PM Phuc and his counterpart from the Czech RepublicAndrej Babis shared their delight with the growing bilateral ties, affirmingthey will make efforts to push the implementation of signed agreements oneconomics, trade, culture, education, and science.

He thanked the Government of the Czech Republic for creating favourableconditions for the Vietnamese community to integrate into the local society,make practical contributions to the country’s socio-economic development.

He expected that the Czech Republic would continue supporting and boosting thepartnership and comprehensive affiliation between Vietnam and the EU and thesigning of EVFTA.

He suggested the country back Vietnam’s run for the non-permanent seat in the UNSecurity Council in 2020-2021.

PM Andrej Babis said the Czech Republic treasures strengthening and developingthe traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.

He asserted that his Government continues implementing policies making iteasier for the Vietnamese community and businesses in the Czech Republic.

On the sidelines of the WEF Davos 2019, PM Phuc had working sessions withformer WEF Managing Director Philipp Rösler and leading investors fromSwitzerland.-VNA