Visit boosts New Zealand-Hanoi ties

Hanoi City People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen The Thao meets with New Zealand’s Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown - Photo: dfa.gov.vn

Hanoi and Wellington sign cooperation agreements

Chairman Thao and Mayor Wade-Brown had talks on the development and expansion of comprehensive bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Thao and Wade-Brown signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening relations between the two cities through cooperation in economics, education, climate change and cultural exchanges. The two sides will coordinate activities including promoting the exchange of information, economic development and common bilateral forums, organizing cultural days at local levels, encouraging exchanges between art groups, sharing experiences, knowledge and skills in response to climate change, and providing English language training programs for Hanoi’s officials.

The two leaders agreed to lobby the two governments to consider opening direct Hanoi - Wellington flights in the future.

Meeting the Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives

During the visit, the delegation met with New Zealand Speaker of House of Representatives David Carter on November 10. At the meeting, Thao said, “Hanoi appreciates and prioritizes bilateral development cooperation in education, economics, trade, urban planning, culture and tourism. In addition, Hanoi has encouraged and created favorable conditions for New Zealand-based organizations and businesses to seek opportunities for cooperation and investment in communications, renewable energy, waste treatment and the environment in the city.”

On the same day, the delegation, Mayor Wade-Brown and more than 50 New Zealand business representatives attended a ceremony for the publication of the Doing Business with Vietnam book hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand. The delegation later visited the Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand and Thao suggested the embassy continue to promote investment and cooperation between Hanoi and Wellington.

In the 2012-2014 period, Hanoi recorded an annual average export value of US$11.5 million to New Zealand, marking a 22.7 percent annual increase. Major export items included machinery and parts, textiles, rattan and bamboo products, raw materials and footwear. It also recorded an annual average import value from New Zealand of US$22 million, a 26.7 percent decrease on an annual basis. Major import items included fresh vegetables, papers, dairy products, machinery and parts and steel.

The New Zealand-based US$20,000 capital-registered Eden Help Services Co., Ltd. is providing educational consultancy services and joint training programs for students from universities in Wellington and Hanoi including Vietnam National University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Institute of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Duong Nga