The deputy PM made the remarks while hosting a reception for French Ambassador to Vietnam, Bertrand Lortholary, and Philippe Christodoulou, Vice President of Large Industries International Development, at Paris-based Air Liquide, in Hanoi, on October 4.
He stated that the strategic partnership between Vietnam and France has been growing finely, manifested through the regular exchange of high-level delegations, including the visit to Vietnam by the French President in September 2016 and the visit to France made by Party General Secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, in March 2018.
Cooperation across the fields of culture, education, economics, trade and investment has seen positive developments and has become a pillar in the bilateral ties, Deputy PM Dung said, noting that France is currently a leading economic partner of Vietnam in Europe.
French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary affirmed that many French firms are eyeing investment in Vietnam, especially in the areas of France’s strength and Vietnam’s demand, such as infrastructure, energy, and high-tech industry. He expressed his belief that both sides would further accelerate their multi-faceted cooperation in the future, particularly the cooperation between their enterprises.
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Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung (right) and Philippe Christodoulou, Vice President of Large Industries International Development at Paris-based Air Liquide. (Photo: VGP)
Philippe Christodoulou briefed the deputy PM on Air Liquide’s investment activities in Vietnam since 1996, stressing his company’s wish to get involved in the Dung Quat oil refinery expansion project and certain other energy projects in Vietnam.
With its experience and superior technology, Air Liquide will successfully cooperate with Vietnamese businesses in the fields of energy and refining/petrochemical, he affirmed.
Concerning Christodoulou’s proposal, Deputy PM Dung asked Air Liquide to work with the Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Company, the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group, and the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade to discuss specific cooperation plans. He also underscored the top goal of ensuring the post-upgrade efficiency and quality of products of the Dung Quat oil refinery and meeting the standards on safety and environmental protection.
