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HANOI: Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has kicked off his six-day visit to Vietnam, reaffirming the close relationship and co-operation between the two countries.
He met Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Hanoi on Monday. It was a warm and friendly meeting between the two leaders who last met in August when Mr Dung made a two-day visit to Singapore.
Prime Minister Dung said he was happy that Senior Minister Goh will officiate at the ground-breaking of the third Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park on Tuesday, a key symbol of bilateral co-operation.
The Vietnamese leader noted Mr Goh had worked closely with Vietnam when he was Prime Minister, including initiating the industrial park project.
Both leaders also agreed on the benefits of greater ASEAN integration, and touched on Vietnam's development.
Mr Dung briefed Mr Goh on his country's rapid economic growth and its challenges.
Mr Goh emphasised the need for Vietnam to push for double-digit growth and pointed out that this will generate resources to help the country deal with other issues such as social inequity.
Vietnam's economy has been growing at nearly 8 percent each year since year 2000.
Going forward, the Vietnamese leader singled out infrastructure development as one of the country's key priorities.
Mr Goh suggested that Vietnam can also focus on urban development, ports and logistics.
Their wide-ranging discussions stretched beyond the stipulated one hour.
Later Monday, Mr Goh met Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai over dinner where they exchanged views on developments in Vietnam and the region.
Mr Goh also briefed Mr Hai on Singapore's government policies and its development experience.
During this visit, Mr Goh will also meet Vietnam's other leaders, including the General Secretary of Vietnam's Communist Party Nong Duc Manh.
Mr Goh will also visit the southern business hub of Ho Chi Minh City where he will meet local officials and the business community.
Senior Minister Goh is accompanied by Mrs Goh, Minister without Portfolio Lim Boon Heng, MP Seah Kian Peng and other senior officials.
Mr Goh, who last visited Vietnam in 2003, has described Vietnam as one of the key growth drivers in the coming decades among Asian countries.
This trip will allow him to witness the rapid transformation in the country. - CNA/ir
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