Prime Minister Le Minh Hung received Wouter van Wersch, President of Airbus International, in Hanoi on November 4. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government would continue improving the business environment and creating favourable conditions for European companies, including Airbus, to expand their operations and investment.
The meeting took place as van Wersch returned to Vietnam for the 40th anniversary of Airbus's presence in the country. The Prime Minister wished the group continued success and expressed hope that it would contribute more to Vietnam's relations with the European Union and with EU member states.
Le Minh Hung stressed that Vietnam attaches importance to its relations with France, its first Comprehensive Strategic Partner in the EU. Economic, trade and investment cooperation remains one of the most important pillars of those relations.
He said the official visit to France by To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President, on September 10 and 11 had helped deepen bilateral relations. The visit produced concrete projects and outcomes, including projects involving Airbus.
Le Minh Hung valued four decades of cooperation between Vietnam and Airbus. He noted that the company had supplied a large proportion of the aircraft operated by Vietnamese airlines and had cooperated with Vietnam in observation satellites.
With a population of more than 100 million and rising incomes, Vietnam is carrying out major infrastructure projects, including Gia Binh and Long Thanh airports, while developing special economic zones and logistics services. These developments have created substantial demand for aviation development and fleet expansion.
The Prime Minister called on Airbus to take a larger role in major projects that match the company's potential and the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He said this would help strengthen Vietnamese enterprises and develop the aviation ecosystem.
He proposed that Airbus and Vietnamese partners accelerate aviation and aerospace projects, technology development and transfer, research, high-quality human resources training, manufacturing capacity, safety oversight and flight operations.
The Prime Minister also proposed that Airbus consider establishing aircraft maintenance and repair centres in Vietnam, particularly near Long Thanh and Gia Binh international airports.
He asked the group to support Vietnamese airlines in carrying out aircraft supply agreements and contracts as they expand their fleets and open new routes. He also called for closer cooperation with Vietnamese agencies on space cooperation.
Le Minh Hung expressed hope that Airbus would encourage France to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement soon. He said this would support European companies, including Airbus, in expanding cooperation and operations in Vietnam.
The Prime Minister said the 40-year partnership between Vietnam and Airbus would enter a more substantive and effective phase for both sides.
Van Wersch praised Vietnam's strong development and its sound relations with the EU and France.
He said Vietnam plays an important role in Airbus's success. A total of 230 Airbus aircraft are currently operating in the country, while another 220 are expected to be delivered in the coming period.
He welcomed Vietnam's continued investment in aviation and aviation infrastructure, including Long Thanh and Gia Binh airports and the wider aviation ecosystem. He said these projects created new opportunities for cooperation with Airbus.
Van Wersch agreed with the Prime Minister's proposals and said Vietnam was a top priority for Airbus. The company sees major opportunities and wants to strengthen long-term ties with Vietnam through aircraft supply and support for the country's aviation industry.
To mark 40 years of presence and cooperation in Vietnam, Airbus reaffirmed its long-term plans in the country. They cover strategic cooperation in commercial aviation, space and industrial manufacturing, technology transfer, high-quality human resources development, and expanded cooperation in digital transformation and artificial intelligence applications.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
