In Florida, Ambassador Vinh met with Congressman Ted Yoho, chairman of Asia and the Pacific subcommittee under the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, before holding working sessions with representatives of businesses, and visiting businesses, universities, and research institutes.

Congressman Ted Yoho expressed his delight at the impressive developments in Vietnam-US relations recently, as evidenced by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to the US in May, 2017 and US President Donald Trump’s Vietnam visit in November, 2017. Such occasions have yielded important results which have been an impetus behind the advancement of the comprehensive partnership between the two countries in the new period.

He recalled the deep impression the country made during his visit to Vietnam last October, especially Vietnam’s dynamics, the beauty of its land and the hospitality of its people, saying that the US, particularly Florida and Vietnam have great potential for enhancing cooperation in the areas of hi-tech, manufacturing industry, clean energy, agriculture, and education.

While visiting Florida businesses, research institutes, and universities, the Ambassador gave presentations on the development of bilateral relations, and Vietnam’s potential and current strengths, emphasizing that Vietnamese representative agencies in the US serve as a bridge for Floridian businesses to study and promote trade and investment activities in Vietnam. He expressed his hope that bilateral trade will continue to thrive in the future. At present, Vietnam is the ninth largest trade partner of Florida with a two-way trade value of nearly US$2 billion.

In Arkansas, Ambassador Vinh met State Governor Asa Hutchinson, held a round-table discussion with Arkansas businesses, and visited the headquarters of the Murphy Oil Corporation, and Vinh Long Arkansas Ltd Company – the first Vietnamese business to begin operations in the state.

Governor Asa Hutchinson spoke highly of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership and expressed a desire for his state and Vietnam to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in investment and business. He welcomed the presence of Vinh Long Company and affirmed that he was willing to support the business in overcoming any initial difficulties so that it may develop and invest in Arkansas for the long-run.

Ambassador Vinh in turn asserted that Vietnam will continue to promote ties with the US and seek new opportunities for cooperation with Arkansas which will be mutually beneficial. He asked the state authorities to facilitate the operations of Vietnamese businesses and support the Vietnamese community living and working there.

He offered Governor Hutchinson an invitation to visit Vietnam.

At a round-table discussion with the Arkansas business community, the ambassador briefed participants on Vietnam-US relations and the cooperation potential with Vietnam, and answered numerous questions regarding the economic potential, opportunities, and business environment in the Southeast Asian nation.

Arkansas businesses showed great interest in information about real estate, production, healthcare services, education, agriculture and renewable energy in Vietnam.

Source: vov.vn