Reference: P/074-2013

22 December 2013

Grant Shapps is attending the 7th annual meeting of the UK-Vietnam Joint Economic and Trade Committee.

Grant Shapps is attending the meeting in his role as Minister Without Portfolio in order to support the Government's goal of boosting UK trade, especially giving small and medium-sized British businesses a fair chance of bidding for new contracts associated with the 2019 Asian Games. Speaking ahead of his visit, he said "We can't sit and wait at home: we have to drum up business in the world. British firms deserve a fair chance of winning these new contracts. Especially as we have a wealth of expertise after our 2012 Olympics. That's what this agreement is all about. Because if UK firms do win contracts here in Vietnam, it could mean more jobs back home, giving more British people the security of taking a pay-packet home to their families".

The Minister without Portfolio and Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam Ho Anh Tuan will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding which will underpin the cooperation between the UK, which hosted the successful 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Vietnam, which has been chosen to host the 2019 Asian Games, including identifying areas where the UK government and businesses can support Vietnam.

Joint Economic and Trace Committee - JETCO background

The UK/Vietnam JETCO was established in September 2007. It has met annually since then, and quarterly at official level. One of only a small number of such arrangements for the UK, it was established to provide a mechanism to improve trade relations with Vietnam by overcoming obstacles to trade and improving the business environment within the context of the 2010 Strategic Partnership.

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