Davos (VNA) – PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President of the World Economic Forum (WEF) BorgeBrende had a dialogue themed “Vietnam and the World” on January 24, in the framework of theongoing WEF Annual Meeting 2019 in Davos, Switzerland.

This is the first time theWEF has held a particular session on Vietnam.

Opening the dialogue, Brendehighlighted the success of the WEF on ASEAN hosted by Vietnam in 2018, which delivered important and meaningful messages to the region and the world.

That success not onlyreflected the importance of ASEAN but also helped improve Vietnam’s stature considerably,he noted.

He also emphasised PM Phucand the Vietnamese Government’s strong commitments and resolve to promoteproduction so as to get further involved in global supply chains.

For his part, PM Phuc said in2018, although the world witnessed numerous complex and unpredictable changes,Vietnam’s GDP growth rate still approximated 7.1 percent, making it one of thecountries with the fastest growth in the world, while the growth quality wasalso improved substantially.

Expressing his optimism abouteconomic development in 2019, he affirmed that Vietnam will make efforts to continuedeveloping in a strong, sustainable and inclusive manner and ensure that no oneis left behind. To do that, it will make use of the Fourth IndustrialRevolution, push ahead with reforming the investment and business climate, bolsterinvestment cooperation between the domestic and foreign sectors, and pay moreattention to human resources training.

With the policy ofintegrating intensively into the global economy, Vietnam supports free andmultilateral trade, he affirmed.

Noting the pillars basing onwhich Vietnam will promote fast, sustainable and inclusive development, PM Phucsaid the country will work to better ensure macro-economic stability since thisis an important factor to win investors’ trust. It will also improve the economy’s resilience and capitalise on tourism, agricultural and informationtechnology advantages. Additionally, it will step up institutional reforms, perfectthe socialist-oriented market economy institutions in line with internationalpractices and commitments which Vietnam participates in, and enhance the integrationinto the region and the world.

Regarding the fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0, theleader said Vietnam will take proactive actions to improve its labour productivity,adding that making use of Industry 4.0 is the best way for the country todevelop fast and sustainably.

He said despite many difficulties, Vietnam has certain advantages when taking part in Industry 4.0, including ayoung, dynamic and creative population and people’s aspiration to moveforwards.

The Vietnamese Government isbuilding a national strategy on Industry 4.0 and preparing to set up a nationalinnovation centre, he said, noting that Vietnam is the first Southeast Asiannation to cooperate with the WEF to establish a centre on Industry 4.0.

In terms of sustainable developmentrequirements, the PM stressed that his country wants to simultaneously develop theeconomy, society and environment, and it will never exchange the environment forgrowth.

In response to WEF President Brende’s question about howVietnam will surprise the world in the next five years, PM Phuc said thecountry will keep alive its spirit and aspiration for development. Firstly, it will sustainthe growth trend, improve people’s living standards and continue to be areliable destination for foreign investors. The country will also make strongerreforms in law and policy making.

Vietnam considers investors’ success as its own, the PM said, pledging to protect investors’ rights and legitimate interests so that they can further contributeto the country’s socio-economic development.

Also on January 24, PM Phuc had a working session withexecutives of several major IT groups. He vowed non-stop efforts to improve the business climate, along with close coordination with the businesscommunity to remove barriers to innovation.-VNA