The President acknowledged Goh Chok Tong’s significant contributions to elevating the two countries’ relations to strategic partnership in 2013 and to his valuable consultation for Vietnam’s development. The minister was also the one who launched the first Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) project in 1996, which has multiplied nationwide and become a symbol for the effective cooperation between the two countries, the President said.He welcomed the Singaporean Government’s decision to dispatch a high-ranking delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean to visit Vietnam and attend the 20th founding anniversary of VSIP in the southern province of Binh Duong in September.
Minister Goh Chok Tong said that Singaporean government is building a cooperation mechanism to develop the bilateral rapport with Vietnam, thus increasing connectivity in the ASEAN Community. Singapore has also set up a fund to support Vietnam’s development in the ASEAN Economic Community, he added. The Minister confirmed that Singaporean leaders wish to work closely with Vietnamese counterparts to expand successful cooperative models between the two countries.He revealed that Singapore is striving to become an economic hub in the south of ASEAN while Vietnam is capable of becoming a centre in the north of the association.
While in Singapore, President Quang visited the One North innovative technological park. The park is designed to become an international standard research centre and commercial space to support the following development: biology chemistry, information technology, communications, physical science and engineering.
