The delegation was also tasked with studying the UK’s experience in national industrial development policies, promoting innovation and science-technology, climate change adaptation, regional economic development and connectivity.
They held working sessions with the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the Department for Communities, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the National Infrastructure Commission, the Committee on Climate Change, the special envoy in charge of climate change at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The guests held a round-table dialogue with UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Vietnam, parliamentarian Edward Vaizey, Vice President of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee Stephen Benn, head of the Oxford University’s Economics Department Prof. Margaret Stevens, with a focus on the world economic situation at present, Vietnam’s opportunities and challenges, and potential of bilateral collaboration.
They visited and held a working session with CEO of Harvey Nash Group and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam – UK Network Paul Smith.
The delegation also made a trip to Cambridge University where they held working sessions with professors from the St John’s Innovation Centre, the Cambridge Technical Management Institute, and the Cambridge City Council.
During the meetings, UK partners affirmed that Vietnam – UK ties are now at their best, with strong development of bilateral links across politics-diplomacy, economy, trade, education-training and people-to-people exchange.
Son said the two countries hold great potential of coordination, particularly in economy, trade, science-technology, innovation, and climate change adaptation.
He expressed his wish that the two sides would strive to promote trade and work for a bilateral free trade agreement after the UK exits the European Union.