PM Dung said that the selection of Viet Nam as a venue for the APK 14 showed the trust of the business community in Germany and the Asian-Pacific region in the country’s development prospects.

He valued German companies’ investments and business in Viet Nam, stressing that Germany is the biggest European trade partner of Viet Nam since their two-way trade turnover of nearly US$8 billion accounts for over 20% of the total Viet Nam-EU trade value.

However, the European country’s trade and investment in Viet Nam have yet met both countries’ potential, their expectations and sound relations, PM Dung said.

He reiterated measures on which the two countries’ leaders agreed to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership, focusing on cooperation in politics, trade, investment, justice-law, development-environmental protection, education, science, technology, culture, communication and social development.

PM Dung suggested German busunesses investment in infrastructure, which is their strength, in the public-private partnership model.

While pursuing the construction of a law-governed State and the market economy, Viet Nam and ASEAN member countries are trying to establish an ASEAN Community in 2015. The country is also boosting the implementation of eight free trade agreements (FTA) and negotiating for six others, PM Dung added.

The Government leader stressed the commitment of the Vietnamese Government and local authorities to creating favorable conditions for foreign investors to do business successfully and sustainably in the country given their success is Viet Nam’s achievement.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Sigmar Gabriel, German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy and Mr. Hubert Lienhard, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) expressed their gratitude to Viet Nam’s relevant agencies for coordination with German side to organize the APK 14 in the country’s largest economic hub.

Gabriel affirmed that Germany attaches importance to boosting cooperation in all fields, particularly in economics, trade and investment, with regional countries, saying that he would do his utmost to deepen bilateral cooperation for mutual benefits and development.

The biennial conference saw the participation of economic ministers in the region, the ASEAN Secretary General, economic experts and nearly 700 German, regional and local businesses.