Deputy PM updates US firms on Vietnam’s economic policies Washington D.C. - Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue met with US enterprises during his visit to the US from June 25-27 to introduce Vietnam’s external and macro-economic policies, economic reform and investment attraction mechanisms.   An overview of Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue and leaders of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) (Photo: VNA) Addressing a talk held by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) on June 26, the Deputy PM said that Vietnam and the US have shared interests in a peaceful, stable and prosperous environment in the region where maritime and aviation freedom, security and safety are respected. This is an important condition for regional cooperation and development, he stressed. Scholars from the AEI lauded the vision and external, economic and integration policies of Vietnam, while expressing hope that the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership will continue to be fostered amidst a changing world. They also showed their desire to expand ties with Vietnamese officials, scholars and researchers. At a business seminar held by the US-Asia Institute and VinaCapital in Washington D.C. the same day, Deputy PM Hue noted that the Vietnamese economy grew 7.38 percent in the first quarter of 2018, a 10-year high. He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to create a business environment meeting standards of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and answered questions on cooperation and business opportunities in Vietnam. The US enterprises praised the Vietnamese Government’s commitments, lauding the country’s policies to lure investment in infrastructure, energy, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, service, State-owned enterprises’ restructuring and startups. On June 27, Deputy PM Hue met with leaders of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), during which he highlighted that leaders of the US’s Congress, National Security Agency, Departments of States, Finance, Commerce and Agriculture all affirmed that the US is keen on boosting relations with Vietnam, especially in economy, trade and investment. This is an assurance for businesses of both sides in the long-term, he added. The Deputy PM reiterated that the Vietnamese Government is willing to listen to enterprises to improve the country’s business environment and ensure fair conditions for businesses. He also answered questions from US firms on various fields, especially the newly-adopted Law on Cyber Security, the payment activities of banks, regulations on automobile import and granting licences in agricultural areas. Vietnam always abides by international rules, while giving optimal conditions for businesses as long as they ensure consumers’ interests and Vietnam’s national security, stated the Deputy PM. The same day, he met with some US leading firms investing in Vietnam, including Nike, Coca-Cola, Visa, Exxon Mobil, Murphy Oil and AES. The US firms thanked Vietnam for supporting them over the years, highlighting that Vietnam is a dynamic market with high potential. They expressed their wishes to expand their activities in Vietnam. VNA