Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Teo Chee Hean and Vietnam's Minister of Science and Technology, Chu Ngoc Anh, jointly inaugurated the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Center in Hanoi. Teo is in Hanoi for an official 6-day visit and attending the opening of the is the main part of his agenda.
On March 23, Mr. Teo announced on Facebook that he arrived in Hue City and said that this is his first visit to Central Vietnam. He added that on the first day, he already met Thua Thien-Hue Party Secretary Le Truong Luu and they talked about opportunities to boost their nations' cooperation in important areas like education, training, and tourism. The deputy PM then revealed that Singapore is one of the leading investors in Thua Thien-Hue Province.
He went on to narrate that he took part in the opening of the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Centre located in Hanoi. As for its purpose, Mr. Teo stated, "It will enhance our training to Vietnamese officials & further contribute to capacity building in our region. Also officiated at the Singapore Festival in Hanoi with Hanoi People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung."
He added, "Hope that our lively showcase of Singapore's art, culture, food, design & tourism offerings will draw more Vietnamese tourists to Singapore & strengthen our people-to-people ties."
In this official visit, Singapore's deputy prime minister was with a few Members of Parliament that include Intan Mokhtar, Kwek Hian Chuan Henry, and Patrick Tay. According to The Straits Times, Teo, Ahn and the rest of the delegates discussed the significant progress in the bilateral cooperation of Vietnam and Singapore since the Strategic Partnership was established in 201.
Later in the evening, the Deputy Prime Minister Teo also met with Vietnam's Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and they talked over dinner that was hosted by the latter.
Some of the things discussed at this dinner-time meeting include an agreement to improve cooperation in the food and agriculture, air and maritime interconnection platforms on top of the technology and innovation. While there are many other benefits to the opening of the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Center, its main goal is still to close the development gap between new and old ASEAN members.
Finally, Singapore's Ambassador to Vietnam, Catherine Wong, highlighted the role of the center during her speech at the inauguration, "Today, the world is changing rapidly and development challenges and policy issues are becoming more complex.
She ended her statement by saying, "These enhanced Cooperation Centers in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam represent the next phase of Singapore's contribution to the IAI agenda and underscore Singapore's support for regional development and resilience, as well as our longstanding commitment to address the development needs of these countries and narrow the regional development gap."
