SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday (Sept 12) reaffirmed their countries' commitment to further deepen cooperation, especially in new areas of growth such as the digital economy, green economy and innovation.
They also discussed regional and international issues, including the importance of upholding Asean centrality and unity, and reaffirmed the need to uphold rules-based multilateralism to promote peace and stability in the region, Singapore's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.
DPM Heng, who is also Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, is on an official visit to Vietnam and called on PM Chinh in Hanoi.
Both leaders reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Vietnam, and welcomed the strong and multifaceted progress in bilateral cooperation under the Singapore-Vietnam Strategic Partnership, which marks its 10th anniversary next year.
DPM Heng also met Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Economic Affairs Le Minh Khai. They agreed to step up economic cooperation across a range of areas, including renewable energy, decarbonisation initiatives, infrastructure, digitalisation, start-ups and capacity building, the PMO said.
The DPMs agreed on the importance for both countries to continue deepening economic integration through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, as well as Asean-led initiatives.
DPM Heng also met Vo Van Thuong, Standing Member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Secretariat.
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