Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received a delegation of aerospace, defense, and security companies under the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) in Hanoi on Wednesday.

The delegation, led by USABC senior vice-president and regional managing director Brian McFeeters and president and CEO of I.M. Systems Group Imelda Martin-Hum, traveled to Vietnam for the participation in the second Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, held by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense.

The expo was set to kick off in Hanoi on Thursday.

Members of the delegation include representatives from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Bell Textron, A2G (Air to Ground), AeroVironment, Atmo, Blue Halo, IMSG, Loading Republic, Oliver Wyman, Realtime Robotics, R-MOR, and Stick Rudder Enterprises.

During the reception, the prime minister expressed his appreciation for the delegation’s participation in the expo, which marks the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 35th anniversary of the All-People Defense Festival.

PM Chinh emphasized that the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership, established last year, has grown significantly across all key sectors.

He noted that the political ties between the two nations are at their strongest since the normalization of relations in 1995, as both sides prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperation remains a pivotal driver of this bilateral relationship, while the potential for partnerships in these fields is huge, said the prime minister.

With a target of double-digit annual growth, Vietnam is working to tap into emerging industries such as aerospace, aviation, maritime, and underground spaces.

The vision and orientation of U.S. companies align well with Vietnam’s strategic goals and trends, he said.

PM Chinh encouraged the USABC and U.S. enterprises to cooperate closely with the Vietnamese side to enhance partnership in trade, technology transfer, investment, and manufacturing, as well as training.

He proposed strengthening cooperation and realizing new opportunities in the spirit of harmonizing benefits and sharing risks.

Vietnam is committed to ensuring the legal and legitimate rights and interests of investors, while maintaining an environment for peace, stability, cooperation, and development, he said.

PM Chinh suggested that the USABC and U.S. firms call on the U.S. government to foster sustainable economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries.

He also called for the U.S. recognition of Vietnam as a market economy and the removal of Vietnam from its list of countries with restrictions on hi-tech exports.

McFeeters and other members of the delegation congratulated Vietnam on the expo as it will offer opportunities to U.S. groups to cooperate with Vietnamese defense industry agencies, organizations, and businesses.

The U.S. firms were committed to further supporting Vietnam in various strategic and high-potential sectors, aiming to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

They praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements and adaptability, referring to the significant potential for deeper cooperation between the two nations.

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