British PM
British PM's Trade Envoy: UKVFTA ushers in a bright future for UK-Vietnam ties
“I am hugely excited that the two ambassadors are finalising
this trade agreement by signing it today (December 29), cementing our historic
ties and ushering in a bright future. I can’t wait to visit again”, Heather
Wheeler, MP and Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam said in
an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents.
|
 |
|
Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Tran Ngoc An (R)
and UK Ambassador Gareth Edward Ward sign the Vietnam-UK Free Trade
Agreement (Photo: VNA) |
“I am hugely excited that the two ambassadors are finalising
this trade agreement by signing it today (December 29), cementing our historic
ties and ushering in a bright future. I can’t wait to visit again”, Heather
Wheeler, MP and Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam said in
an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents.
Following here is a full text of the interview:
The UK - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) was officially signed in London
on December 29, on this occasion, what message do you want to send to British
and Vietnamese businesses?
On this historic day I want to wish all existing exporters and importers of
UK-Vietnamese goods and services a huge pat on the back. If it wasn’t for their
hard work, especially over the last ten years when trade has doubled, the
importance of the negotiations means that 65 percent of all tariffs have been
eliminated and this will increase to 99 percent over the seven year transition
period. Both our Governments have realised how crucial trade is between us,
providing jobs and steady access to great food, clothing and other products and
services for our two nations.
As a Trade Envoy of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to Vietnam, what will
you do to promote the trade ties between Vietnam and the UK?
It is an honour to be made the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Vietnam and
having visited the country I will build on my contacts at government and
industry level to promote tariff free and trade barrier free exchange of goods
and services.
The UK’s expertise in sustainable development and technology will form early
parts of our conversations. Sadly with Coronavirus many new opportunities will
have to be worked on remotely but I have already made appointments and spoken to
leading businesses in the education, financial and insurance, delivery and legal
services fields of business who have existing companies in Vietnam and see the
opportunities this trade agreement gives them to expand. As soon as I can travel
to Vietnam I intend to. Equally, I will be delighted, with the support of the
Department for International Trade, to welcome Vietnamese business here to
assist them to expand their exports here in the UK.
How do you see the potential trade development between the two countries in
the post-Brexit period?
In the post-Brexit era I see the expansion of exports from, first, Vietnam to
include an expansion of their hi-tech industries being a new growth area. The
talent that the young people of Vietnam have I see tech services having real
potential. I also see future potential for new factories to be built, expanding
the semi-conductor business for export too. For the UK, I can see our service
industries, particularly professional services whether they be architectural or
legal or accountancy growing.
Our two countries have great educational tie ups, especially at university level
where I visited accountancy students on my last visit. This trade agreement
widens government procurement opportunities to 50 percent of all contracts and I
can see huge growth there for UK businesses./.
VNA