Vietnam urges greater Norwegian ODA in response to climate change

Vietnam urges greater official development assistance (ODA) from Norway to help the country respond to climate change and protect ecology, said Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Wednesday. Dung made the remarks while meeting with Crown Prince of Norway Haakon Magnus in capital Hanoi on Wednesday during the latter's official visit to Vietnam, Vietnamese government e-portal reported. Vietnam hopes to strengthen economic, trade, investment ties with Norway, said Dung, adding that Vietnam will create favorable conditions for Norwegian enterprises to run effective and long- term businesses in Vietnam. The Vietnamese prime minister expects Norway to make active contributions to promoting free-trade negotiations between Vietnam and the European Union. Norwegian Crown Prince, for his part, said at the meeting that his country attaches great importance to relations with Vietnam in such areas as investment, trade, education, tourism and culture, among others. Earlier on the same day, delegation with over 50 leading Norwegian companies, business associations and trade promotion agencies led by Crown Prince of Norway Haakon Magnus met with Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan to discuss business opportunities in Vietnam in areas of maritime, ship building, hydropower, renewable energy, oil and gas, seafood aquaculture, among others.