Cuba’s construction minister and Vietnam’s transport minister met in Hanoi on June 13 to discuss cooperation on transportation and ways to improve cooperation in the future.
Truong Quang Nghia, Vietnam’s Transport Minister, said that while his country faces economic challenges, it views infrastructure development as a top priority. The country is encouraging investment from all sources, including foreign and private investors, through a public-private partnership or build-operate-transfer arrangement.
Vietnam is in the midst of changing certain mechanisms and participating in multilateral free trade agreements to help attract foreign investment.
Mr. Nghia said the supervisors and advisors of the Dinvai Company, part of Cuba’s ministry, worked well with other projects in Vietnam. However, he noted that the company can improve its performance by updating its understanding of local laws and its professional knowledge.
Cuba’s Construction Minister Rene Mesa Villafana says the Communist Party’s 7th national congress resolution in April calls for more resources to develop infrastructure. The resolution requires the improvement of inter-provincial roads and the building of expressways.
The Construction Minister said Cuba is learning from other countries’ experiences, including Vietnam.
Mr. Villafana expressed Cuba’s wishes to extend its cooperation with Vietnam in transport infrastructure construction, especially now that several Cuban companies are participating in the Southeast Asian country’s transport projects.
During their meeting, both sides agreed to move forward with transport agreements, including those in the aviation and navigation sectors.
Vietnam’s Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha encouraged Cuba to facilitate a joint venture between the Cuban Geicons Group and the Vietnam Glass and Ceramics for Construction Corporation, or Viglacera.
Mr. Ha called on Mr. Villafana to extend his support of exporting materials from Viglacera to his country. The Minister also expressed his hope that Cuba will initiate cooperation between the two nations. Vietnam is also willing to share its experience with Cuba in the development and management of urban areas, housing, material production and technology.
