General Secretary and President To Lam met with Thomas R. Hardy, Acting Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), on 21/9 in New York, according to TTXVN.

According to the General Secretary and President, Vietnam is entering a new development phase, characterized by a substantial demand for strategic infrastructure. This sector aligns with US strengths, and USTDA possesses relevant experience and suitable support tools.

He proposed that USTDA collaborate with Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and enterprises to select strategic projects with significant ripple effects for focused support. Priority areas include: energy and power grids, digital infrastructure, data centers, aviation, seaports, logistics, and modern transportation.

The General Secretary and President expects USTDA to play a "pioneering" role from the project preparation phase, helping Vietnam gain early access to US standards, technology, management expertise, and resources.

He also urged USTDA to prioritize emerging fields with high technological content and added value, such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, smart grids, energy security, and solutions for green transition. USTDA was asked to enhance connections between leading US technology, finance, and infrastructure companies and their Vietnamese partners.

General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Thomas Hardy, Acting Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Photo: TTXVN

USTDA is an agency that supports the preparation and development of infrastructure projects in emerging markets. The agency plays a crucial role in fostering Vietnam - US economic, trade, and investment relations, particularly through assisting with project preparation, feasibility studies, technical assistance, and connecting US businesses with infrastructure projects in Vietnam.

During the meeting, General Secretary and President To Lam commended USTDA's ongoing cooperation with Vietnam across various sectors, including energy, power grids, aviation, smart cities, and digital infrastructure. He noted that these programs enable Vietnam to access advanced US technology, management experience, and solutions.

Thomas R. Hardy stated that USTDA views Vietnam as an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region. The agency is prepared to coordinate with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to identify suitable projects and mobilize project preparation support. They will provide assistance from feasibility studies, technical preparation, and pilot phases until projects are ready for funding and implementation.

The Acting Director of USTDA believes that Vietnam's significant infrastructure development needs, combined with US strengths in technology, governance, and high-quality solutions, will create numerous opportunities for cooperation.

Phuong Dung