New York (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Treasury Secretary JanetYellen in New York on September 20 (local time) to discuss cooperation betweenVietnam and the US in economy and finance, and to share views on other issues ofshared concern.

The meeting tookplace as part of the Vietnamese leader’s trip to the US for the high-level weekof the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and bilateralactivities in the country.

Chinh affirmed thatVietnam considers the US a leading important partner, and stands ready to worktogether with the country to promote the bilateral relationship intensively,extensively, stably, and practically.

Vietnam alsoregards cooperation in economy, finance, trade and investment as a priority ofthe bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, and highly valued substantivecontributions by Yellen and the US Department of the Treasury to the economicand trade ties, he continued.

The PM suggestedthe department further allocate resources to the economic and trade relations,and called on the US to soon recognise Vietnam’s market economy mechanism.

The two countriesshould enhance dialogues and collaboration in the areas of mutual benefits likeinfrastructure, financial services, personnel training, IT application,management experience sharing, loans and grants, tax, and capital and stockmarkets, he said.

Chinh alsosuggested the US side ease trade remedies on Vietnamese garments-textiles, woodproducts, and especially farm produce.

For her part, Yellenshared Chinh’s view on the importance of the recent visit to Vietnam byPresident Joe Biden, saying the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership reflects spectacular steps in the bilateral relations, as well asthe US’s commitment to opening up new economic cooperation opportunities betweenthe two countries, helping raise mutual understanding and trust.

Since the normalisation of the relations in 1995,the US and Vietnam have remained important economic and trade partners of eachother, she said, noting that Vietnam is a key partner in the US’simplementation of its regional policy.

The officialaffirmed the US is cooperating with the Southeast Asian nation to enhancethe self-resilience of the regional supply chain, and that Vietnam boastspotential in the supply chain in the semiconductor industry.  

Yellen thanked Vietnamese government agencies fortheir active and proactive coordination with the US department in mattersrelating to trade, monetary and foreign exchange policies.

Regarding regional cooperation, Chinh expressed his hopethat the US will continue its close connection with the economic developmentand international integration of the Asia-Pacific, and suggested the US providemore resources and finance for Mekong Sub-region countries to support theirimplementation of sustainable development goals.  

The two sides also reviewed cooperation prioritiesin economy and finance globally.

The same day, Chinh separately received representatives of someleading economic groups of the US and the world like Microsoft, GatesFoundation, SpaceX, Coca-Cola, and Pacifico Energy.

At the meetings, the leader spoke highly of theircontributions to Vietnam’s sustainable socio-economic development, and briefedthem on favourable business conditions in the country.  

Vietnam is selective in attracting investments, andprioritises projects in such spheres as science-technology, innovation,research and development, green economy, digital economy, knowledge-basedeconomy and circular economy, he said.

The Vietnamese government will create optimalconditions for groups to operate in the country, targeting the harmony ofinterests of people, businesses and the State, the leader emphasised.

At the meeting with Microsoft Corp's co-founder BillGates, who is also founder and chairman of the Gates Foundation that operatesin agricultural development, financial services for the poor, clean energy, environmentalhygiene, global education, health care and nutrition, Chinh suggested himsupport the operation of the Vietnam National Innovation Centre and provideconsultancy for Vietnam’s strategy on science-technology, and innovation.

He also called on Bill Gates, through thefoundation, to continue his assistance to innovative startups, science-technologydevelopment, climate change response, green transition, green growth, renewableenergy, health care and education in Vietnam.

Bill Gates, for his part, said he wants to promotecooperation with and support to Vietnam, focusing on hygiene, clean energy,environment; health care, especially tuberculosis prevention and control; and AIand advanced education models, and pledged to support the Vietnam National InnovationCentre.

PM Chinh also met with James Quincey, Chairman and CEO ofThe Coca‑Cola Company, who said Coca-Colawants to expand its operation in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Tim Hughes, Senior Vice President forGlobal Business and Government Affairs at SpaceX that designs, manufactures andlaunches advanced rockets and spacecraft, said the group plans to invest about500 million USD in Vietnam, and expressed his hope to receive the investmentlicence for its Starlink services in Vietnam.

Chinh suggested SpaceX coordinate with theVietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment to connect and cooperate withpotential Vietnamese partners in information technology, deploy cooperativeactivities to promote innovation in Vietnam, and propose OEM (original equipmentmanufacturers) build telecommunications equipment factories in Vietnam in thetime ahead.

The PM asked Hughes to convey his invitation to SpaceXCEO Elon Musk to attend the Vietnam International Industrial Fair 2023 later this year.

Nate Franklin, President and CEO of Pacifico Energy,also affirmed that the group wants to invest more in renewable energy inVietnam, and shared his ideas on offshore wind power development in thecountry. /.