(VOVWORLD) - A conference seeking ways to promote resources of overseas Vietnamese (OVs) and connect localities and businesses was held in the northern port city of Hai Phong on Wednesday.
 Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang addresses the conference. (photo: Canh Tieu) |
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang told the conference that overseas Vietnamese people have contributed sizably to the nation in different forms. He hoped that the conference will encourage many more cooperative projects between overseas Vietnamese and domestic businesses.
“The Vietnamese authorities should acquire the opinions of overseas Vietnamese for the highest goal of promoting the resources of Vietnamese expatriates for building of a strong, prosperous Vietnam and happy Vietnamese people,” said Mr. Quang.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs reported that there are about 6 million Vietnamese living in 130 countries and territories. It is estimated that 10-12% of them have university degrees or higher, equivalent to about 600 thousand people, including many famous scientists in new and high-tech fields. Vietnamese businessmen abroad have strong economic potential and influence, who have helped bring Vietnamese goods into many foreign markets such as in Europe, the US, and Australia.
Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Foreign Minister and Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, said that by the end of last year, overseas Vietnamese from 35 countries and territories had invested in 385 projects with a total registered capital of 1.72 billion USD in 42 provinces and cities in Vietnam. Remittances sent home since 1993, the first year of remittance statistics, to 2022 reached over 190 billion USD.
During the conference, Overseas Vietnamese Business Associations and local Business Associations signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding for cooperation.