(VOVworld)- Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived in Busan on Wednesday beginning a three-day tour of the Republic of Korea, where he will attend a commemorative summit marking the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-RoK Dialogue Relations.

Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held a dialogue with more than 40 senior leaders of Korean corporations and companies. Among more than 4,000 Korean enterprises investing in Vietnam, around 300 are from Busan and Keangnam. Korean enterprises praised Vietnam’s open policies and assistance for foreign investors. Park Soo Kwan, Vietnam's Honorary General Consul in Busan, is the leader of a Korean Footwear Company in Vietnam which employs more than 2,200 workers. He praised Vietnamese workers' hard working and skills saying that they are Vietnam's attractions to foreign investors.
At the dialogue, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said the Republic of Korea is Vietnam’s largest foreign direct investor with more than 100 investors and an investment capital of 36 billion USD, second largest ODA donor, and third largest trading partner, and sends the 2^nd largest number of tourists to Vietnam. Prime Minister Dung said:“After more than 2 years of negotiating, the President of the Republic of Korea and I will witness tonight the signing of Statement on fundamentally concluding the negotiation of a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea. The two sides will exert efforts to complete and put the FTA into operation by early next year. We hope that the FTA will help increase bilateral cooperation in investment, trade, tourism and other areas. We have been improving our business environment to make it competitive with those in ASEAN countries. We welcome your investment in Vietnam and will create favorable conditions to make your investment successful in Vietnam”.

Prime Minister Dung applauded Korean businesses’ attention to Vietnam and addressed a number of their concerns. Regarding a proposal to allow the Busan Bank to operate in Vietnam, he said: “I welcome and agree with this proposal, which will make it easier for Busan businesses to invest in Vietnam. If the Busan Bank is opened in Vietnam, it should bring at least 100 businesses to invest in Vietnam. If Vietnam’s Honorary Consul General in Busan agrees, the bank will be licensed immediately.”

Mr. Dung reiterated Vietnam’s policy of encouraging Korean businesses to cooperate in ship building and repair, waste water treatment, and water supply. He said that the Vietnamese government is considering adjusting regulations on bringing foreign currency abroad and visa exemptions to create the best possible conditions for foreign investors and visitors to Vietnam.