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UK Minister Without Portfolio Grant Shapps visited Vietnam to co-chair the 7th annual meeting of the UK-Vietnam Joint Economic and Trade Committee.

UK Minister Without Portfolio Grant Shapps visited Vietnam to co-chair the 7th annual meeting of the UK-Vietnam Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) with Mdm Ho Thi Kim Thoa, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

This is an opportunity for the UK and Vietnam to discuss areas for increased cooperation in 2014, including Vietnam’s preparations for the 2019 Asian Games; UK-Vietnam cooperation in education and Vietnam’s civil nuclear programme. The UK and Vietnam will also explore opportunities for further cooperation to tackle illicit trade to build upon the 2007 Agreement on Cooperation against Smuggling and Cross Border Customs Violations.

During the visit, UK Minister Grant Shapps and Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam Ho Tuan Anh signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will underpin the cooperation between the UK which hosted the successful 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games and Vietnam which has been chosen to host the 2019 Asian Games, including identifying areas where the UK government and businesses can support Vietnam.

Just after his arrival to Vietnam, UK Minister Grant Shapps paid a courtesy visit to Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on 6 January 2014.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Shapps said: “The whole UK Government is committed to helping British companies do business in emerging markets like Vietnam, which is why I am co-chairing our trade talks to set the commercial agenda for the year ahead. We want to strengthen our partnership for prosperity. While in Hanoi, I will sign an agreement for the UK and Vietnam to cooperate more closely on preparations for the 2019 Asian Games. This is a great opportunity to both sides, especially in light of the UK’s recent experience of hosting the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. The agreement will open the door for UK companies – including small and medium sized businesses involved in London 2012 – to find out more about how they can help Vietnam deliver a world class event in 2019.”

NOTE TO EDITOR

Joint Economic and Trace Committee - JETCO

The UK/Vietnam JETCO was established in September 2007. It has met annually since then, and quarterly at official level. One of only a small number of such arrangements for the UK, it was established to provide a mechanism to improve trade relations with Vietnam by overcoming obstacles to trade and improving the business environment within the context of the 2010 Strategic Partnership.

For further information, please contact the British Embassy Communications Manager, Ms Dinh Thu Huong, Tel. 3936 0500 ext 2227; email: dinh.huong@fco.gov.uk.