(VNF) - New Zealand’s Minister of Economic Development, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce, is undertaking his second visit to Vietnam during August 5th-7th, following his visit to Vietnam in March 2014.

The key objective of his visit is to celebrate and strengthen education links between the two countries, recognizing the critical importance of education to the bilateral relationship.

The two sides co-hosted a Vietnam-New Zealand Education Forum in Hanoi on August 5th involving senior education officials, representatives from a number of New Zealand universities and their Vietnamese counterparts. A revised bilateral Education Cooperation Agreement was signed during the Forum, announcing the next Joint Education Commission, as well as a new Memorandum of Understanding between Auckland University of Technology and Quang Ninh province.

The significant milestones reflect the new path being set for New Zealand and Vietnam education cooperation and are set to see the relationship continue to grow and prosper.

The New Zealand education system’s values of creativity, innovation and quality are focused on producing leaders equipped with the necessary skills for the 21st century. This is matched by Vietnam’s focus on providing an outstanding education system, vital for the nation’s ongoing development.

Education links featured strongly during the visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to New Zealand this March. So, the Forum was an excellent chance to get some of the key people together from both countries to talk about they can further strengthen these foundational links.

Education ties have grown considerably over the years through several initiatives including New Zealand’s post-graduate scholarships awards for Vietnamese students and English Language Training for Officials (ELTO). New Zealand is now a popular destination for self-funded Vietnamese students, with approximately 2,000 choosing New Zealand as an education destination each year. Several New Zealand universities are also partnering with universities in Vietnam to offer high quality qualifications to students.

In Ho Chi Minh city, the New Zealand Minister is scheduled to participate in the graduation ceremony of students who have completed a joint program between Ho Chi Minh city -VNU University of Science and Auckland University of Technology. He will also be guest of honor at the first ever Vietnam – New Zealand Fashion Collaboration & Show, involving 20 top fashion students from the two countries.

In addition, Minister Joyce will meet with business leaders in the city to discuss opportunities for enhancing trade and investment links between the two countries, which have grown strongly in recent years.

Over the past five years, Vietnam is New Zealand’s fastest growing trading partner in ASEAN, and is now New Zealand’s 20th largest trading partner worldwide. Two-way trade grew by 10% to NZD1.165 billion (USD875 million) for the year ended March 2015.

As tariffs and other impediments to trade are gradually reduced under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) in place since 2010, New Zealand expects to see increased interest from the business communities of both countries in each other’s markets. The ambitious Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal will further increase the trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

“New Zealand is a logical and committed partner for Vietnam across a range of sectors where New Zealand is known globally for its expertise - including food and beverage, aviation, agribusiness and forestry, healthcare and tourism. There is a growing awareness in New Zealand of the importance of our trade and economic linkages with ASEAN countries, of which Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies,” said New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Haike Manning./.

( VNF )