The delegation from the Maryland Department of Commerce took a commemorative photo with the Vietnam Trade Office in the US. Photo: Kieu Trang/TTXVN
This is the first visit and working trip of the Maryland Secretary of Commerce to the Vietnam Trade Office in the US. Both sides had an open and fruitful discussion, looking for opportunities for cooperation between Maryland and Vietnam. Representative from the Maryland Department of Commerce expressed interest in collaboration in the areas of commerce, agriculture, education, logistics, tourism, and investment in smartphone production, etc.
Maryland is located in the Northeast region of the US, with strengths in the service sectors such as tourism, retail, media and finance, education; agricultural industry, energy and engineering. With an area of over 32,000km2, a population of over 6 million people and advantages in its port infrastructure system, Maryland aims to expand and sign cooperation agreements with international partners, including countries in Southeast Asia. Currently, Maryland has 3 free trade zones (FTZs) to attract manufacturing investments.
During the working session, the Vietnam Trade Office proposed to study a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Maryland state government on the basis of some MoUs that Vietnam has signed with the states of West Virginia, Oregon, and the upcoming one with Washington. Secretary Kevin Andersen highly appreciated the proposal and stated that he would discuss internally and soon have feedback on this proposal.
The Vietnam Trade Office also invited Secretary Kevin Andersen to attend the Vietnam International Sourcing Expo in June in Ho Chi Minh City. Secretary Kevin Andersen said that he and Governor Wes Moore of Maryland (a Democrat who took office in 2023) are very interested in enhancing economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam and will consider arranging their schedules to attend the event.
The Vietnam Trade Office also reiterated the issue of market economics for Secretary Kevin Andersen to be aware of and provide appropriate support at the federal level and by officials from the US Department of Commerce.
