Vietnam and New Zealand Seek Joint Efforts to Drive Growth Through Science and Innovation

General Secretary and President To Lam led Vietnam's delegation to the New Zealand, Vietnam Business Roundtable in Auckland on August 13. The event marked a significant moment in bilateral relations, which have developed over more than five decades since diplomatic ties were established in 1975.

New Zealand Minister of Trade and Investment Todd McClay welcomed the visit, highlighting Vietnam's fast-growing economy, market of over 100 million people, young workforce, and deep integration into global trade. He noted that beyond traditional areas such as agriculture and food, there remains significant potential for cooperation in high-tech agriculture, health technology, education, research, and skills development.

General Secretary and President Lam called on businesses from both countries to upgrade agricultural and food cooperation through green value chains, with a focus on smart agriculture, biotechnology, deep processing, cold-chain logistics, traceability, and branding. He emphasized the importance of creating new growth drivers based on science, technology, innovation, and green transformation.

The top Vietnamese leader also encouraged New Zealand businesses to view Vietnam not only as a market but also as a partner for research, product development, manufacturing, and innovation in Southeast Asia. He suggested that New Zealand act as a bridge for Vietnamese enterprises to integrate more deeply into high-quality value chains in the Pacific region.