Pedro Sánchez highlights the strength of Spanish companies in strategic sectors for Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has inaugurated the Spain-Vietnam business meeting in Ho Chi Minh City, assuring that "Spain's foreign vocation and commercial openness" are the driving forces "to strengthen our relations and our presence in a country like Vietnam, with a future and opportunities", together with the experience and leadership of Spanish companies in strategic sectors for the Asian country, such as infrastructure and clean energy.

These were Pedro Sánchez's words in his address to the representatives of dozens of Spanish and Vietnamese companies gathered for the forum, which focused on deepening trade and investment relations between companies from both countries and identifying new business opportunities.

Energy and infrastructure

During his speech, the president referred to Spain's firm commitment to the transition towards clean energy and its possibilities in the Vietnamese market: "Spain already generates more than 50% of its electricity from renewable sources, and we want to exceed 80% by 2030. Today Spain is recognised as a benchmark in the promotion of the green economy, which is why we are in an unbeatable position to accompany Vietnam in its own energy transition. Our companies can contribute their knowledge, technology and leadership, as is already happening," the president stressed.

Group photo of the Spain-Vietnam Business Meeting | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

In terms of infrastructures, Pedro Sánchez underlined that the success of Spanish companies extends from air connectivity to port infrastructures, although he emphasised that it is in railways that "Spain is a global benchmark as the second country with the most extensive high-speed network". In this regard, the president added that "we have everything to contribute to the ambitious modernisation roadmap that Vietnam is designing in the field of mobility".

Meeting with Spanish companies

Prior to the business meeting, the President of the Government of Spain took part in a working breakfast with representatives of Spanish companies with interests in the Vietnamese market. He stressed to them that in these two days of official visit to Vietnam and in the dialogue with its authorities, important possibilities have been identified in many of the sectors in which Spanish companies are recognised for their leadership, in addition to the perception of our country as a reliable economic and commercial partner.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, speaks with Spanish business leaders during a breakfast meeting in Ho Chi Minh City | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

After a dialogue to learn about the interests and projects of Spanish companies in Vietnam, Pedro Sánchez conveyed to them the support of the Government of Spain when it comes to opening up avenues for investment and trade relations.

Visit to Ho Chi Minh National University

The second day of the President of the Government's official visit to Vietnam ended with a meeting with teachers and students of Spanish at the National University in Ho Chi Minh City, which trains some 200 students in the language every year.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, with Spanish students at Ho Chi Minh National University | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The President celebrated the fact that despite the geographical distance between the two countries, mutual cultural interest unites Spanish and Vietnamese society, announcing that Spain will continue to promote the teaching of Spanish in Vietnam.

Non official translation