Vietnam rises to become regional trade, innovation hub: New Zealand experts

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived in Auckland on March 9, starting an official visit to New Zealand. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Talking to the VNA reporters on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to New Zealand on March 10 and 11, Jessep highlighted the significance of the trip as it provides an opportunity for both countries to deepen their relationship at the highest levels further and to exchange perspectives on a whole range of issues vital to them. “Arriving with such a senior and large delegation signals the investment Vietnam is making in the relationship and of the importance it places on this engagement,” she said.

According to the CEO, Vietnam and New Zealand will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. Over the last five decades, the two sides have seen significant growth in people-to-people connections and growth in business, government, arts, defence and security, sports, science, and other areas.

The expert held that: “There is a vibrancy to the relationship today that deserves celebration – but it also a platform from which we should look to catapult future growth.”

Recalling the upgrade of the bilateral relationship to a ‘strategic partnership’ in 2020, she said this was an acknowledgment of the closer ties the two countries have forged together and an expression of intent that they want to continue to look for ways to work together and advance mutual interests.

New Zealand has teamed up with Vietnam to grow its agriculture sector, build resilience to climate change and disasters, and support the development of a highly skilled and educated workforce. “We also have many friends in common. Our two countries can collaborate with others as we respond to climate change and other challenges impervious to geographic borders.”

Vietnamese people welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Auckland Airport. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Jessep said New Zealand and Vietnam advocate for a peaceful region governed by the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, and freedom of navigation. She recommended that the two nations, alongside other Southeast Asian countries and regional powers, continue to work together to protect and promote their interconnected, prosperous, and stable region.

Concerning the prospects of the Vietnam - New Zealand relationship in the future, she assessed that there is great potential to grow cooperation across almost every sector. “At the Asia New Zealand Foundation, we work to help build connections between talented New Zealanders and their counterparts in Asia. This includes incredible young entrepreneurs who are designing solutions to tomorrow’s challenges – whether it be future food needs, climate adaptation, technology, green energy, and so on. However, we also invest in growing connections between our communities, which is the basis for developing stronger, deeper country relations. Vietnamese students who study in New Zealand are thriving, and they bring with them the skills and cultural acumen that we need.”

According to the expert, in April, the foundation plans to take a group of young New Zealand leaders to Vietnam to learn about the country, its economy, and history and to build connections with young Vietnamese leaders. In May, it will lead a delegation of emerging art curators to Vietnam to learn about Vietnam’s burgeoning arts scene and connect with arts practitioners. The foundation will also welcome a delegation of tourism and agribusiness entrepreneurs from Southeast Asia, including from Vietnam, to learn about New Zealand’s agricultural and tourism sectors and share ideas with their local counterparts.

“Connections such as these help us to grow trade connections, but they also help us to see the relationship beyond a trade lens and I believe this is imperative to building stronger, lasting ties,” the CEO concluded./.

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