MoIT leader holds talks with President of Australian Senate

Attending the meeting were Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski, members of the Australian Parliament’s high-ranking delegation, and staff members of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.

At the reception between Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines

The meeting was also attended by the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s (MoIT) Asia-Africa Market Department, Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Oil, Gas and Coal Department, Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, Industry Agency, Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, and Agency of Foreign Trade.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien warmly welcomed the President of the Australian Senate and her delegation. He said this is the first visit by a senior Australian leader since the two countries officially upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien affirms that Australia is an important partner that provides Vietnam with input materials for the industrial and energy sectors

The Minister said the fact that the President of the Australian Senate and her delegation chose to visit and work with the Ministry of Industry and Trade demonstrates Australia’s special interest in strengthening trade, industrial and energy relations between the two countries.

At the meeting, both sides discussed common priorities in advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, agreeing to effectively implement newly established ministerial-level dialogue mechanisms on trade, energy and minerals. These efforts aim to create opportunities and a favorable environment for businesses to cooperate with each other, thereby rapidly enhancing trade and economic relations between Vietnam and Australia.

As one of the world’s leading countries in reserves of natural resources and minerals, such as metal ores, coal, and liquefied gas, as well as advanced technology in extraction, application, and energy transition, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that Australia is an important partner supplying Vietnam with materials for the energy and industrial sectors. Australia will be an active partner supporting Vietnam’s energy transition efforts to achieve its Net Zero target committed at COP26.

President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines proposes many solutions to promote economic cooperation between the two countries

In that spirit, Minister Dien requested that President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines direct relevant Australian agencies to coordinate with the MoIT in promoting Australian investment in Vietnam. He expects Australia will support Vietnam in training and share experience and technology to help Vietnam develop renewable energy.

Minister Dien also shared insights on Vietnam’s mineral potential, including rare earths, bauxite, and titanium, which are key materials for developing important industries, such as the electric vehicle industry. “Vietnam welcomes Australia’s investment and cooperation in applying advanced technology to optimize the extraction and deep processing of these key minerals while ensuring sustainable environmental practices,” Minister Dien emphasized.

The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in market access, facilitating the availability of high-quality agricultural products from Vietnam and Australia to consumers in both countries.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (R) and President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines

Both sides are completing final procedures for Vietnamese passion fruit to be exported to Australia and Australian plums to be exported to Vietnam. Vietnamese pomelos and Australian blueberries are next on the list of products to gain market access.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Dien once again thanked the Australian official for her special interest in the MoIT and the Vietnam-Australia bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, industry and energy. Minister Dien wished the President of the Australian Senate and members of the Australian delegation a successful business trip to Vietnam.