Top Vietnamese leader attends roundtable with large U.S. businesses in New York

The event was organized by the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC), and the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), in collaboration with Viet Nam's Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Vietnamese Embassy in the U.S.

The U.S. has continued to be one of Viet Nam's leading partners. The two-way trade reached more than US$110 billion in 2023, marking the third consecutive year when the bilateral trade exceeds US$100 billion, noted the Vietnamese leader.

There is plenty of room for the two countries to further promote their cooperation, he stressed.

To Lam called on American businesses to continue efforts to turn the U.S. into Viet Nam's biggest investors, and make full use of opportunities based on equal relations, mutual respect and benefit to match the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

He urged both sides' ministries, sectors, and agencies to continue to concretize major policies and orientations of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, while handling investors' difficulties and obstacles, and continuing to improve the investment and business environment.

The top leader called on the U.S. Administration to encourage its businesses to increase investment in Viet Nam, and assist Vietnamese investors in expanding their effective operations in the U.S., especially projects in the fields of science, technology and innovation.

To Lam suggested American investors to increase investments in such sectors as science and technology, innovation, research and development, green economy, digital economy, circular economy, knowledge-based economy, chip industry, semiconductor, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IOT), new energy, renewable energy, finance, financial centers, biotechnology, and health care in Viet Nam.

He expressed his hope that American investors will strongly voice their support so that the U.S. Administration will recognize Viet Nam as a market economy.

The Party and State of Viet Nam always create optimal conditions for the business community, in general, and foreign-invested enterprises, in particular, to launch effective operation in the country, reiterated the top Vietnamese leader.

He expected that both nations will work towards a new era in bilateral relations, overcome all challenges, make use of all opportunities, and build a world of development, peace, and prosperity.

American businesses hailed Viet Nam's economic priorities, particularly its commitment to removing institutional barriers to facilitate business operations.

They expressed their interest in investing in Viet Nam and pledged to support Viet Nam's sustainable development efforts.

On the occasion, To Lam witnessed the exchange of several cooperation agreements between Vietnamese and American firms./.