Brussels (VNA) – Minister of Transport Nguyen VanThang has expressed his hope that Belgian enterprises will study investmentpossibilities in Vietnam’s key transport projects while meeting withMinister-President of the Government of the Belgian region of Flanders JanJambon as part of his recent trip to Europe.

Briefing the Flanders region’s leader on Vietnam’seconomic development, Thang stressed that the transport sector is pushing aheadwith large infrastructure development projects. These include North-Southexpressway and Long Thanh International Airport, as well as application ofadvanced technologies and use of green energy at deep-water ports like LachHuyen and Cai Mep-Thi Vai.

He went on to say that Vietnam is studyingNorth-South high-speed railway with a length of some 1,500 kilometres, anddeveloping urban railway systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Towards a “green economy” and net-zero target, theVietnamese Government has accelerated the transition to green and clean energyin various areas, including transport that accounts for more than 25% of thenation’s emissions, he said, suggesting Vietnam and Belgium enhance activitieswithin the signed Letter of Intent.

He also recommended Belgium share experience inmaritime infrastructure construction and maintenance, promote connectivitybetween sea ports and inland ports and Flanders sea port and Vietnam’sdeep-water ports, and enhance digital transformation and green port development.

The two sides should encourage their enterprisesto bolster cooperation in logistics, development of sea ports and inland ports,smart transport projects and those that contribute to the reduction ofgreenhouse gas emissions, he said.

Jambon, for his part, praised cooperative tiesbetween Vietnam – Belgium over the past time, and affirmed that the Flandersregion always sees Vietnam a priority partner in the region.

Flanders will promote the friendship and effectiveand practical cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of its strengths,particularly transport, seaport logistics, advanced technologies, renewableenergy, smart agriculture and digital transformation, among others, he said.

In a working session with Secretary General of theDepartment of Mobility and Public Works of Flanders region Filip Boelaert,Thang hailed the support of the Belgian Government and  Flandersregion in training on waterway transport connectivity, dredging technology andlogistics services for the staff of the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport.

He suggested the Government of the Flanders regionconsider granting both short- and long-term scholarships for maritime andwaterway courses in Belgium, underscoring both sides need to coordinate andorganise business forums to enhance mutual understanding and seek investment opportunitiesin the sector.

Boelaert affirmed that Belgium, which boastsconsiderable experience, is willing to share experience with Vietnam in thedevelopment of waterway, road, logistics services, and green transport.

While in Belgium, Thang also visited Log!Villecentre in Louvain city as well as had working sessions with the authority ofthe port of Antwerp and Deme company -  to study Belgium’s experience insmart transport development, port management, and application of hydrogen ingreen energy transition./.