US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at the meeting
Vietnam boats potential to become the US’ biggest trade partner in the region, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on December 14 in Ho Chi Minh City.Meeting with the Vietnamese business community as part of his visit to Vietnam from December 14-17, Kerry praised the positive development of the Vietnam-US relations, noting that bilateral trade has grown steadily from US$55,000 in 1995 to the current US$25 billion.
He also said the dynamic operation of the two countries’ chambers of commerce and industry has contributed to boosting bilateral trade links.
The two sides are on the right track to bring trade links to a higher level, he said.
The US has initially provided US$4.2 million for its relevant agencies to set out programmes on building a strategic partnership between the two sides
The US official said Vietnam is seeing sustainable and promising growth, catching up with the world’s common development.
He affirmed that the US commits to supporting Vietnam in a higher education programme, aiming to train high-quality human resources.
During his stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Kerry met with staff and lecturers from the Fulbright Economics Teaching Programme.
He witnessed General Electrics (GE) Group and Cong Ly Company signing the second phase of equipment package provision worth more than US$92 million, for a wind power plant in Bac Lieu.
Earlier, the US diplomat visited the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Basilica in the city.
(Nhan Dan Online/VNA)
