During his visit to Switzerland, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng has called upon the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) to bolster support for the nation’s trade and economic objectives. He emphasized the importance of enhancing Vietnam’s trade, investment, and sustainable economic growth, aligning with the country’s strategic goals.
Thắng underscored Vietnam’s dedication to maintaining a rules-based global trading system, urging the WTO to expedite its reform processes. He highlighted the necessity to reinstate the organization’s dispute settlement mechanism and widen its scope to encompass emerging sectors such as digital trade, artificial intelligence, climate change, and supply chain resilience. These areas are seen as pivotal for the future of international commerce and Vietnam’s economic trajectory.
In his discussions, Thắng reiterated Vietnam’s ambition to achieve high-income status by the year 2045. To facilitate this, he invited the WEF to enhance collaboration with Vietnam, particularly in fostering investment, promoting innovation, and developing public-private partnerships. He also pointed to the potential for establishing international financial centers as a means to further integrate Vietnam into the global financial system.
Officials from both the WTO and WEF responded positively to Thắng’s calls, acknowledging Vietnam’s ongoing economic reforms. They committed to continued cooperation on initiatives aimed at trade, investment, and capacity building. The support from these international bodies is viewed as crucial for Vietnam as it seeks to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing global economy.