At the invitation of PM Nguyen Tan Dung and his spouse, Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong and his spouse started their 4-day official visit to Vietnam today, January 12.
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he welcome ceremony is held in Ha Noi to greet Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong, January 12, 2010
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In their talks after the welcome ceremony, PM Nguyen Tan Dung and PM Lee Hsien Loong showed their pleasure at rapid and positive advancement of the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the context when the Framework Agreement on Vietnam-Singapore Connection has been implemented in the fifth year.
The leaders agreed that, apart from politics, economics, trade, investment, education, tourism, finance and transport, the agreement should be expanded and deepened in other fields, including construction and urban planning.
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PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) and Singapore’s PM Lee Hsien Loong, Ha Noi, January 12, 2010
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PM Dung lauded Singapore one of top trade and investment partners of Vietnam and asked the Government of Singapore to encourage its enterprises to accelerate their investment projects here and lure investors from third countries.
For his part, PMLee congratulated Vietnam upon its assumption of the ASEAN Chairmanship this year, pledging to support Vietnam in fulfilling its tasks, realizing the ASEAN Charter and strengthening ties between the bloc and partners.
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PM Nguyen Tan Dung (2nd from right)
and PM Lee Hsien Loong (2nd from left) preside over a high-ranking talk in HaNoi,January 12, 2010
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The two PMs highly valued the efficiency of Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP), considering them a successful model for bilateral economic cooperation.
They also discussed measures to enhance cooperation in commerce, education, tourism, culture, transport and national defense.
The leaders agreed to maintain close coordination at regional and international forums, like ASEAN, APEC, ASEM and the UN.
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A leader of the State Bank of Vietnam (R) hands over the license on the establishment of the DBS Group Holdings’ branch in Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, January 12, 2010
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The same day, in the witness of the two PMs, a series of agreements were inked, including those on building new residential areas, providing petroleum services, and offering non-interest-rate financial assistance to university students.
On the occasion, the State Bank of Vietnam granted the license to DBS Goup Holdings to establish its branch in Ho Chí Minh City./.