Seoul (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with Vice Chairman ofSamsung Electronics Lee Jae-yong on November 28 as part of his official visitto the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Speakinghighly of Samsung’s investment in Vietnam, the leader said the VietnameseGovernment, ministries, agencies and localities have created favourableconditions for the group to implement its investment and business projects inthe country.

Leepledged all-out efforts to help Samsung Vietnam operate successfully,significantly contributing to local socio-economic development and enhancingrelations between Vietnam and the RoK.

Samsungis carrying out a project on building a research and development (R&D)centre in Vietnam, he said, calling for support of the Vietnamese Government inthis regard.

PMPhuc expressed his hope that Samsung will maintain its production, exportturnover and growth rate, thus contributing to Vietnam’s socio-economicdevelopment.

TheVietnamese Government and relevant agencies always facilitate the operation ofKorean firms, including Samsung, he stressed.

Theleader added that the Vietnamese Government is also making efforts to improvelocal business environment, and suggested the group build a semiconductor plantin the country.

TheGovernment will provide incentives if Samsung invests in this project, hepledged.

ThePM also asked Samsung to increase its locally-made content which, he said,still remains low, and help Vietnamese enterprises integrate deeper into itsvalue chain.

TheVietnamese Government will accompany Samsung for a long-term, he said, noting hishope that Vietnam would become the group’s largest strategic production venueglobally in all spheres.  

Leetold the leader that Samsung will need more high-tech engineers in the timeahead, adding that such sectors as semiconductors, high-tech screens and smartphones are being produced following market demand and have high added value.

Accordingto the Vice Chairman, the R&D centre is expected to become operational inHanoi in 2022. The group aims to employ 3,000 Vietnamese engineers.

Thesame day, PM Phuc had a meeting with leaders of Hyundai Heavy Industries, GSE&C and GS Energy, which are investing in Vietnam.

Hewelcomed the groups to invest and expand their business and production inVietnam.

Vietnamwishes to cooperate with Hyundai in shipbuilding, he said, calling on the groupto build a big shipyard in the country and produce equipment in service of theindustry, and invest in football in Vietnam.

ThePM said he had instructed Vietnamese ministries and agencies to create optimalconditions for GS E&C to expand its investment in the country, andsuggested the group engage in other projects in Vietnam, especially thoseregarding infrastructure development.

Leadersof the Korean groups said they want to expand investment in such realms asshipbuilding, infrastructure and energy./.