Mr. Le Dung and representatives of enterprises from US’s state of Texas.

A Vietnamese diplomat has called upon companies from the US and its State of Texas to expand business and investment activities in Vietnam, pledging favourable conditions for them to invest in this market.

Le Dung, Vietnamese Consul General in the city of Houston, delivered this request at a November 19 meeting there, with more than 70 representatives of businesses in Texas, including ExxonMobil, Chevron and EVA Airlines.

The official spoke of Vietnam’s market economy, with the second largest population in Southeast Asia, of whom 70% are under 40 years old.

Being considered as a gateway to Southeast Asia and bordering the region’s leading market of China, Vietnam boasts a favourable location to ratchet up its economic, investment and trade linkages with other nations, he said.

Dung told the participants that Vietnam is sparing no efforts to improve its investment environment for foreign investors and integrate more deeply into the world economy.

The Government of Vietnam consistently pursues a policy of being a friend and a reliable partner to other nations and will fully implement its commitments to the international community, the diplomat stressed.

Regarding the country’s investment attraction, Dung said Vietnam prioritises the fields of high technology, supporting industries, infrastructure and human resource development, agricultural product processing, and energy, development of rural areas and agriculture.

US representatives lauded the opening of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Houston, saying it will help develop economic, trade and educational ties between Texas and Vietnam.

Jim Edmonds, chairman of the Port of Houston Authority Commission, said the port, which handles the largest volume of foreign cargo in the US, is willing to receive goods imported from Vietnam. He also promised to boost two-way trade between Vietnam and Texas in particular and the US in general. (VNA)