UK seaport businesses seek opportunities in Vietnam

British seaport businesses are ready to help Vietnam make breakthroughs in the industry and improve sea transport and management.

Mark Kent, British Ambassador to Vietnam made this statement at the seminar, “UK-Vietnam Partnership in Ports” held in Hanoi on October 5 during a visit to Vietnam by a UK port mission.

The seminar was held by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in Vietnam with the participation of nine leading UK businesses specialising in port operation and development, equipment provision, and maritime services, along with consultancies for developing port infrastructure, coastal and offshore engineering, finaning, and training.

Representatives from the UK businesses agreed that with over 3,200 kilometres of coastline and a strategic location in the region, Vietnam has huge potential for marine development. The country is attracting interest from international services and management companies seeking opportunities to develop markets involving ports and take part in projects to expand its existing ports.

The UK, with its long history of developing and operating ports and its strength in global markets, is well suited to assist Vietnam in this sector.

The UK has accumulated a wide range of experience in port design and construction; marine safety; constructing liquefied petroleum gas facilities; using specific equipment; and providing consultancy services, project management, training, and financial, legal and logistical services.

Participants agreed that the UK, as the world leader in renovating and modernising port management, could help Vietnam create suitable solutions for managing its developing port facilities.

Addressing the seminar, Nguyen Hong Truong, Deputy Minister of Transport, said that under the plan, the Vietnamese Government will give priority to developing the infrastructure at the Van Phong deep-water port in the central province of Khanh Hoa and the Lach Huyen international port in the northern city of Hai Phong from now till 2015.

The UK port mission is on a three-day visit to Vietnam that began on October 4 to showcase the UK’s expertise in the port sector, aiming to highlight the potential for success of a UK-Vietnam partnership in this key sector.

They visited ports and worked with relevant agencies and sectors to study the operations of Vietnamese ports and the national port development strategy, and to seek co-operative partnerships and investment opportunities. (VNA)