Jaya Ratnam, the Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

In an interview with the Vietnamese press on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Singapore diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership, Ratnam said relations between the two countries have made tremendous strides. The leaders of both governments have established strong mutual trust. Both sides have prioritized economic development and have collaborated to promote prosperity and peace in Southeast Asia within the ASEAN framework.

Cooperation between the two countries has developed through Party and State channels, with an increase in exchanges at all levels.

Despite the global economic recession, Singapore remained one of Vietnam's top sources of foreign investment in the first half of this year, reflecting confidence in Vietnam's future, as highlighted by Ambassador Ratnam.

He emphasized the potential for collaboration in new growth areas, including the digital economy, renewable energy, carbon credits, cybersecurity, and sustainable infrastructure.

Ratnam also identified three key areas of collaboration between Singapore and Vietnam for leveraging future opportunities and strengthening cooperation in the coming decade. These include innovation (both countries rank among the top three start-up eco-systems in Southeast Asia), energy connectivity, and urgent action to expedite climate initiatives, with a strong emphasis on sustainability.