New Zealand Minister of Tertiary Education and Minister of Economic Development returns to Viet Nam

New Zealand’s Minister of Economic Development and Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Hon Steven Joyce, is undertaking his second visit to Viet Nam during 5-7 August 2015, following his visit to Viet Nam in March 2014.

The key objective of his visit is to celebrate and strengthen education links between the two countries, recognising the critical importance of education to the bilateral relationship.

In Ha Noi, Minister Joyce will hold talks with Minister of Education Pham Vu Luan, Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh, and pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

The two Education Ministers also co-hosted a Viet Nam-New Zealand Education Forum today involving senior education officials, representatives from a number of New Zealand universities and their Vietnamese counterparts. A revised bilateral Education Cooperation Agreement was signed during the Forum, announcing the next Joint Education Commission, as well as a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Auckland University of Technology and Quang Ninh Province.

The significant milestones reflect the new path being set for New Zealand and Viet Nam education cooperation and are set to see the relationship continue to grow and prosper. The New Zealand education system’s values of creativity, innovation and quality are focused on producing leaders equipped with the necessary skills for the 21^st century. This is matched by Viet Nam’s focus on providing an outstanding education system, vital for the nation’s ongoing development.

“We’re delighted to have the Minister back in Viet Nam, so soon after his previous visit in 2014.  Education links featured strongly during the visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to New Zealand in March 2015. So the Education Forum co-hosted by Minister Joyce and Minister Luan and was an excellent chance to get some of the key people together from both countries to talk about how we can further strengthen these foundational links between our two countries,” said New Zealand Ambassador Haike Manning.

Education ties have grown considerably over the years through several initiatives including New Zealand’s post-graduate scholarships awards for Vietnamese students and English Language Training for Officials (ELTO). New Zealand is now a popular destination for self-funded Vietnamese students, with approximately 2,000 choosing New Zealand as an education destination each year.  Several New Zealand universities are also partnering with universities in Viet Nam to offer high quality qualifications to students.

Minister Joyce will also visit HCMC, where he will participate in the graduation ceremony of students who have completed a joint programme between HCMC VNU University of Science and Auckland University of Technology. Minister Joyce will also be guest of honour at the first ever Viet Nam – NZ Fashion Collaboration & Show, involving 20 top fashion students from New Zealand and Viet Nam.

In addition, in his capacity as Minister of Economic Development, Minister Joyce will meet with business leaders in HCMC to discuss opportunities for enhancing trade and investment links between the two countries, which have grown strongly in recent years.

Viet Nam is New Zealand’s fastest growing trading partner in ASEAN over the past five years and is now New Zealand’s 20th largest trading partner worldwide. Two-way trade grew by 10% to NZ$1.165 billion (US$875 million) for the year ended March 2015.

As tariffs and other impediments to trade are gradually reduced under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) in place since 2010, New Zealand expects to see increased interest from the business communities of both countries in each other’s markets.   The ambitious Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal will further increase the trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

“New Zealand is a logical and committed partner for Viet Nam across a range of sectors where New Zealand is known globally for its expertise – including food and beverage, aviation, agribusiness and forestry, healthcare and tourism,” said Ambassador Manning.  “There is a growing awareness in New Zealand of the importance of our trade and economic linkages with ASEAN countries, of which Viet Nam is one of the fastest growing economies.”