He was attending the Group of Seven (G7) Outreach Summit and visiting Canada until Sunday at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Mr. Phuc said Vietnam expects a new wave of investment from Canada once the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) that both countries signed in March comes into effect. He noted that Vietnam is restructuring its state-owned enterprises, including those in important areas such as aviation, power, oil and gas, telecommunications, and transport infrastructure. This is a good opportunity for foreign investors, including those from Canada and Quebec city, to buy shares and become strategic shareholders, said Mr. Phuc.

"Vietnam considers Canada an important partner in the Americas, and the two economies can supplement rather then compete with each other. Particularly, Vietnam has a strong agriculture sector and many industrial products," added Mr. Phuc who underscored that Vietnam always highly values foreign investment, and is doing its best to protect the interest of foreign investors.

Vice Governor of Canada’s central bank Vincent Joli-Coeur spoke highly of Vietnam’s reform over the past 30 years, while giving optimistic comments on the economic outlook and investment opportunities in Vietnam.

"I have to admit that of all the countries that the bank is working on these days, Vietnam ranks No. 1 in term of openess to foreign investment, and is doing so much work in terms of improving its standards, not only in infrastructure, but also ethical standards. We tend to work with Vietnam and its leadership for many years," said Mr. Vincent Joli-Coeur.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) meets with Premier of Quebec Philippe Couillard on June 8, 2018. (local time). (Photo: VNA/VNS)

Earlier, Prime Minister Phuc met with Governor General of Canada Julie Payette, and Premier of Quebec Philippe Couillard, and attended a smart technology show at Laval, the oldest university of Canada and in Northern America.