Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam always considers the US one of its most important partners and wishesto continue developing its comprehensive partnership with the country, especiallyin economic, trade, and investment cooperation, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuchas told US officials.

At a reception in Hanoi on October 26 for the CEO of theUS International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), AdamBoehler, and representatives from the US Department of Treasury (USDT), Department of Commerce,and the US Export-Import Bank (US EximBank), the PM affirmed that the VietnameseGovernment always supports and accompanies the business communities of the two countriesin orientating, connecting, and improving investment efficiency.

Ministries, sectors, and localities in Vietnam create the most favourable conditionspossible for US businesses to invest and do business in the country, he added, askingthat the DFC soon invest in major projects, such as the North - South Expresswayand Long Thanh International Airport.

The PM emphasised that Vietnamattaches great importance to and highly values the US’s active participation inthe US-Mekong Partnership.

The DFC’s investment expansion into the Mekong region will be the foundation forbuilding a dynamic, resilient, and sustainable Mekong region and a strong ASEAN,he noted.

Vietnam and the US are co-chairs of the US-Mekong Partnership in 2020, so it isnecessary to organise a summit shortly, he said.

The PM asked the DFC chief to talk to President Trump, the US TradeRepresentative Office  and other USagencies about helping Vietnam implement the action programmetowards harmonious and sustainable trade adopted at the end of 2019, aswell as about making more objective assessment about the realities in Vietnamso as to carry out suitable cooperation for mutual benefit and development inharmony with US’s commitment to supporting a strong, prosperous and independentVietnam as well as the bilateral comprehensive partnership.

He suggested that the DFC and relevant Vietnamese agenciesidentify investment opportunities in potential infrastructure and energy projectsand those with high technology content in Vietnam and the Mekong region.

For his part, Boehler revealed that the DFCwill increase its investment in Vietnam in the time to come, saying that the USEximBank also wants to further strengthen cooperation with the country.

He noted that the two countries have made positive progress in energy cooperationthrough ongoing projects, adding that the DFC is also looking for investment opportunitiesin Vietnam’s infrastructure sector.

The representative from the US EximBank expressed a desire to boost US exports toVietnam and hoped for stronger cooperation between the two countries.

The US Congress has approved a new tool for the bank to promote cooperation withother countries, including Vietnam, the representative said, noting that thebank can provide financial support in terms of renewable energy, transportation,aviation, health, agriculture, and 5G technology.

Meanwhile, the USDT representative hoped that thetwo countries would expand cooperation in private economic areas, and ties withthe State Bank of Vietnam. The Department of Commerce said the two sides canpromote partnership in aviation, healthcare services, and infrastructure development.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US has increased more than 170-fold since1995. US exports to Vietnam are growing at the fastest rate of all its SoutheastAsian partners. Many US businesses are investing and doing business in Vietnam,with the US among the 10 largest investment partners in the Southeast Asiancountry./.