Premier Wraps Up ACOA-led Mission to Vietnam

Premier Darrell Dexter today, Dec. 3, wrapped up a four-day visit to Vietnam where he participated in a trade mission to strengthen business and educational links between Nova Scotia and the emerging marketplace.

The mission, which started Nov. 29, was organized by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

While in Vietnam, Premier Dexter signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam's Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

"Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province is the economic engine of Vietnam and has many similarities with Nova Scotia," said Premier Dexter. "It is a tourism hub, has major offshore oil and gas developments and has a population of about one million people. There is also strong potential to drive container traffic from Vietnam though Halifax to North America via Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province."

Vietnam has the second fastest growing economy in Asia. Among the country's provinces and municipalities, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province ranks first in GDP per capita.

The five-year agreement will strengthen Nova Scotia's ties with the People's Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and enhance transportation opportunities and educational links in both jurisdictions.

"This memorandum will serve as a framework or co-ordinating vehicle for the increasing number of Nova Scotian initiatives being pursued in this part of the world," said Premier Dexter.

In particular, there are many opportunities to establish links with Vietnam in the education sector, which will help raise Nova Scotia's profile in the country and complement the partnerships through the Port of Halifax and Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI).
"Education and training form an important foundation of any trade and investment relationship," said Premier Dexter. "Nova Scotia has many graduates from Vietnam who are now back in Vietnam working. We have also collaborated with Vietnamese educators to help strengthen the education system in the country.

"Overall, the mission marks a commitment to continue to build on these relationships and pursue new partnerships."

For instance, Vietnam has 330 PhDs in the entire country and 376 universities. The Vietnam government wants to increase the number of PhDs and is offering $20,000 scholarships to graduate students to study abroad. There are also opportunities to attract undergraduate students, promote language training and partner with education agents hired by Vietnamese families to find suitable universities for their children.

Other agreements signed during the mission include:

• a memorandum of understanding between the Port of Halifax and the Port of Haiphong to enhance co-operation and generate new business opportunities.
• participating Atlantic universities and select Vietnamese universities signed nine memorandums of understanding to explore educational links and parternships.

The government of Nova Scotia continues to pursue partnerships that create economic prosperity. Trade within, and beyond, Nova Scotia contributes to the province's global competitiveness, making it an attractive marketplace.