Visit to Vietnam for OECD Ministerial Forum and to bolster trade ties

This week I will travel to Vietnam for the OECD Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum and to lead an Australian business delegation to unlock new trade and investment opportunities.

Australia’s relationship with Vietnam is one of our most important, diverse and dynamic in the region. The Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy sets out our ambition to become top ten trading partners and to double two-way investment.

I will meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and other senior government leaders to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional interests.

I look forward to engaging with Vietnamese business and industry in Hanoi, the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City to identify opportunities to expand our trade and investment relationship.

I will be joined by a business delegation led by Australia-Vietnam Business Champions Louise Adams (Chief Operating Officer Aurecon), Rob Gordon (Group Chief Executive Officer SunRice) and Martin Bean CBE (former Vice Chancellor and President RMIT).

Australia is co-chairing the OECD’s Southeast Asia Regional Program (SEARP) with Vietnam for the 2022-2025 term.

At the Ministerial Forum I will join ministers from across the OECD and ASEAN to discuss practical measures to improve supply chain resilience and protect against future economic shocks.

I will also launch an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) program supporting improved rice production standards and connecting rice-growing communities to high-value international markets.