(MPI) - Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung had separate meetings in Melbourne with the Vietnam-Australia Innovation Network (NIC AU), hydrogen partners in Australia and Australian Minister for International Development Pat Conroy, within the framework of the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Australia.

At the meeting with NIC AU. Photo: MPI

After hearing NIC AU’s report on the recent activities, Minister Dung asked the network to continue expanding and diversifying its activities, especially enhancing collaboration with the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC) and networks in other countries, to further promote the development of Vietnamese intellectual community in Australia in particular, and contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.

NIC AU’s representative said that the network will continue strengthening its core team for development, connection, and support of future members. They also aims to foster cooperation and diversify human resources, linking Vietnamese experts in Australia, connecting Vietnamese experts in Australia and worldwide and connecting Vietnamese and international experts.

During a meeting with partners on hydrogen in Australia, Minister Dung was introduced to technology development projects in the hydrogen sector as well as their plans to have specific projects in Vietnam in the future.

He asked partners to research and propose specific cooperation projects that are in line with Vietnam’s needs, focusing on supporting Vietnam to enhance technological capacity, develop human resources for green hydrogen, connect investment and assist Vietnamese businesses to participate in Australia’s hydrogen market and the region.

Bilateral meeting between Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy. Photo: MPI

In a bilateral meeting between Minister Dung and Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy, the two ministers agreed to promote economic, investment and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Australia through specific projects that suitable to each side’s advantages and development directions, matching the bilateral relationship that is about to be elevated to a new level.

Minister Dung suggested both sides to continue closely coordinating to implement specific projects in eight key areas of MPI’s NIC, especially through the 90 million AUD non-refundable aid package from the Australian Government to Vietnam and development support programmes in the field of climate change response and sustainable development.

He asked both sides continue to promote comprehensive cooperation in the field of education and training and high-quality human resource development, especially human resources for the electronics, semiconductors sectors.

Regarding obstacles related to Australian ODA projects and Australian projects in Vietnam, the Vietnamese minister committed that the Vietnamese side would quickly address the issues faced by the Australian side and create all favorable conditions for Australian investors to invest and do business effectively and sustainably in Vietnam, successfully implementing projects supported by Australia.

Acknowledging the achievements Vietnam has made, Minister Conroy stated that the Australian Government always considers Vietnam an important partner and always wants to further promote investment cooperation and development support in fields that align with Vietnam’s development orientation.

The Canadian minister hoped to know more about Vietnam’s priority areas in the current phase, and expressing his hope that Vietnamese side would quickly address some difficulties and obstacles related to the RMIT University project and Australian ODA projects in Vietnam.

Both ministers agreed to continue maintaining dialogue mechanisms and arrange for Minister Conroy’s future visit to Vietnam, thereby enhancing bilateral economic, investment, trade cooperation between the two countries./.

Bao Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment