On the afternoon of November 7, 11, the HAI PHONG ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY had a meeting and worked with the delegation of the US Embassy at the Management Board's headquarters. The delegation was led by Mr. Stephen Lanier Green, Commercial Counselor of the US Embassy, with members including Ms. Janice Tran, Trade Specialist; Ms. Tran Luu Chimai, Senior International Program Specialist; Ms. Pradhan Grishma, International Lawyers Advisor; and Mr. Childerson Samuel Edward, Law Secretary.
On behalf of the HAI PHONG ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY, the meeting was attended by Mr. Le Trung Kien, Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Head of the HAI PHONG ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY; and Mr. Bui Ngoc Hai, Permanent Deputy Head of the Management Board.
Conference scene
During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of important issues to promote the development of the seaport system in Vietnam, especially in the Hai Phong area.
The US Embassy delegation introduced the Trade Law Development Program (CLDP). This is a program of the US Department of Commerce, with the aim of supporting partner countries to develop and improve their trade law systems, aiming to promote bilateral trade and investment.
Technical assistance and funding for ports in Vietnam: CLDP shared about the technical assistance projects that the program has implemented in other countries and expressed its desire to expand this support to Vietnam, especially in areas such as improving port management capacity, optimizing operational processes and ensuring port safety.
Greening and digitalizing ports: One of the main topics discussed was the “greening” of ports, towards sustainable development and minimizing negative impacts on the environment. The two sides also discussed port digitalization, including the application of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve the operational efficiency of seaports.
Port Community System and Expansion Plan: The delegation introduced the “Port Community System”, a system that helps stakeholders such as transport enterprises, seaports, customs and relevant authorities connect and share information, thereby optimizing processes and reducing cargo handling time. This is an important solution to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of ports in Vietnam.
Challenges for port development and operation in Vietnam: The HAI PHONG ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY pointed out a number of challenges that the port system in Vietnam is facing, such as unsynchronized infrastructure, limited logistics connectivity, and pressure from climate change. The US delegation appreciated this information and pledged to seek appropriate support solutions.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Le Trung Kien expressed his deep gratitude to the US Embassy delegation for their valuable suggestions and sharing of ideas. Mr. Kien affirmed that the HAI PHONG ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY always welcomes international cooperation initiatives, especially in the field of sustainable seaport development and infrastructure modernization.
Delegates take souvenir photos
Representative of the US delegation, Mr. Stephen Lanier Green also expressed hope to continue to build and develop a closer cooperative relationship between the two sides, to support Vietnam in improving the operational efficiency of seaports and promoting regional economic development.
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