(VOVworld) – Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has called for Scottish authorities to encourage local businesses to invest more in Vietnam to make use of free trade agreements (FTA) that Vietnam has signed and is negotiating, particularly the FTA between Vietnam and EU.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son made the remark at a working session with Scottish Minister for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop, during his just-concluded visit to the UK.Son informed his host about Vietnam’s socio-economic situation and future development directions, underlining Vietnam’s policy of pursuing comprehensive international integration.
Minister Hyslop promised to support Scottish enterprises in making the most of the Vietnam – UK strategic partnership to enhance investment and business activities in Vietnam, especially in finance, asset management, and insurance fund management. Hyslop said she will do her utmost to encourage cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries and boost co-operation in education-training, heritage preservation, water resource management, and public sector reform.
At a Vietnam-themed function, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son highlighted finance – banking and education, which are seeing encouraging outcomes, and invited more Scottish businesses to get involved in those areas. While answering questions about China’s illegal deployment of oil-rig Hai Yang 981 within Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said Vietnam is keen on resolving the East Sea issue peacefully. He also thanked the UK for its support for the EU’s stance, which calls for ending unilateral actions, following international law, and seeking a peaceful solution to the issue.