VN, Denmark look towards a partnership for development

VGP – At the invitation of State President Nguyễn Minh Triết and his spouse, Danish Queen Margrethe II and her spouse, Prince Henrik, today start their 9-day official visit to Việt Nam.

November 01, 2009 10:10 AM GMT+7

Danish royal family

The visit is supposed to promote the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Denmark and Việt Nam, advancing to a partnership for development on a stable and long-term basis for mutual benefits.

The royal couple was accompanied by their children, Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary Elizabeth, some senior officials and about 60 leading enterprises.

This is the first time when the whole Danish royal family makes an official visit to another country.

Queen Margrethe II plans to meet all Vietnamese top leaders, namely Party General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh, State President Nguyễn Minh Triết, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and NA Chairman Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

Cái Mép International Container Port, one of Denmark-invested projects in Việt Nam

Denmark is one of first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with Việt Nam (November 25, 1971).

The two-way trade turnover between Việt Nam and Denmark increases by 10-15% every year, reaching US $318 million in 2008.

Denmark has poured US $400 million and ranked the 22nd among 82 foreign investors in Việt Nam.

Việt Nam mainly exports to Denmark textiles, footwear, furniture, fine art products, electric appliances, coffee while importing chemicals and mechanical products.

In March 2009, the two governments founded an inter-governmental committee for cooperation in economics, trade, investment, and technological transfer.

As one of big donors, Denmark has so far granted Việt Nam nearly US $1 billion. Last year, it decided to offer Việt Nam a credit of US $40 million in response to climate change.

By Phương Hạnh