Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh visits the State of Iowa
Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh has had a meeting with the State of Iowa’s Governor Terry Branstad, during which the latter expressed his hope to further bolster all-round cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in trade.
Governor Brandstad revealed that Iowa will send a trade delegation and businesses to Viet Nam in the coming time to seek partnership in new energy and discuss trade prospects on Iowa’s pork, maize and soybean. He affirmed his support to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), saying that he hopes the US Congress will approve the deal soon.
The Vietnamese diplomat, who visited Iowa to attend the US’ National Governors Association (NGA) Summer Meeting in Des Moines city on July 13-14, highlighted new progress of the Viet Nam-US ties as well as partnership opportunities between Viet Nam and Iowa. He also underscored the high potential for bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture, renewable energy and education.
Joining a roundtable with leaders of some business associations in Iowa, Ambassador Vinh updated local firms on Viet Nam’s policies encouraging investment and trade, while pledging that the Vietnamese Embassy is ready to act as a bridge for businesses from the US and Iowa in particular to access the Vietnamese market.
The State of Iowa is located in the mid-western region with a population of 3.1 million and a GDP of about 174 billion USD in 2015. It is regarded as one of the safest states with most favourable business environment. Its strong sectors include manufacturing industry, which accounts for 78 percent of the GDP, renewable energy, making of 8 percent of GDP, and agriculture with a contribution of 3.5 percent. Iowa is also the US’ leading production hub of maize, soybean, ethanol and wind power.
During a conference on trade, agriculture and energy within the NGA Summer Meeting, the Vietnamese diplomat introduced opportunities for bilateral affiliation amidst Vietnam’s renewal, progress of the ASEAN Economic Community and the TPP.
The National Governors Association, grouping leaders of 55 states and territories of the US , aiming to strengthen intra-cooperation and support representatives of the states at the US Parliament and Government./.
