Washington DC (VNA) - Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc hadan online meeting on April 14 with Chairman of the Business Council forInternational Understanding (BCIU) Peter Tichansky and senior officials of 40major US enterprises to discuss bilaterial cooperation and investmentopportunities.

It is a regularexchange between the Vietnamese embassy and BCIU members, but this is the first time itwas held online to ensure social distancing amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Speaking at themeeting, Ngoc said that despite challenges caused by the pandemic, the Vietnam-USrelations have been promoted and they have achieved positive results in numerous fields.

In economics and trade,the two countries have boosted consultations to maintain their developmentpace, he stated, adding that the Vietnamese Government is taking measures tointensify bilateral trade in a harmonious and sustainable manner.

Notably, healthcarecooperation has become a bright spot in their bilateral relations with Vietnam currentlyproducing protective gear and medical equipment for the US.

On April 1, Vietnam,as the ASEAN Chair in 2020, co-chaired a teleconference of senior officials ofASEAN and the US on COVID-19 response, Ngoc noted.

Updating the participantson Vietnam’s pandemic prevention and control efforts, the diplomat said theVietnamese Government is doing its utmost to control the disease, boosteconomic development and ensure social welfare with an aim that nobody is left behind.

Representatives ofUS businesses spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in the COVID-19 fight aswell as its efforts to promote international cooperation in this area.

Sean Mulvaney,representing P&G Group, affirmed strong support for the VietnameseGovernment’s drastic actions and its equal approach between disease preventionand economic development.

US enterprisesshowed their interest in Vietnam’s plans to resume business and productionactivities, and raised questions related to the fields the country is givingpriority to.

Ambassador Ngocexpressed his hope that BCIU members will continue supporting Vietnam’spandemic prevention and control efforts, and expand their investment andbusiness in Vietnam in the time ahead, especially in energy, infrastructure,technology and the digital economy.

He asked majorgroups such as Medtronic, Gilead and Bayer to step up collaboration withVietnam to produce medical equipment, and share information on research andtesting of vaccines and medicines./.