Lookatvietnam – Finland will provide a record figure of more than US$46 million in official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam in 2009, up 47 percent from the previous year, said Finland’s Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.

Both sides exchanged views on socio-economic development, impacts caused by the global financial crisis, as well as measures to deal with the global economic turndown.

They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, investment, education and labour export.

The Finland PM said that the world economy will continue to face difficulties in 2009, therefore it is necessary to have strong measures to consolidate investor’s confidence, he added.

He also expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in recent years, saying that Vietnam is a successful model for developing countries.

Deputy PM Nhan thanked valuable support and financial assistance from the Finnish Government and people for Vietnam over the past years.

While working with Finland’s Minister of Labour, Tarja Cronberg, Mr Nhan, who is also Minister of Education and Training, spoke highly of close cooperation between the two countries in the field of labour export, affirming that this is a potential area for further development.

They agreed to promote cooperation in vocational training to increase the number of skilled workers to meet domestic demand and for labour export.

During his visit, the Vietnamese Deputy PM also held talks with leaders of Finland’s Industrial Federation, the Minister of Science and Education, as well as meeting with Finland’s eight leading businesses, and visiting the University of Hensinki.

VietNamNet/VOV