CONINCO Participates in Bilateral Talks Between Vietnamese and Cuban Construction Ministers

CONINCO, Hanoi, Vietnam– On the morning of July 23, 2024, H.E. Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Minister of Construction of Vietnam, and H.E. René Mesa Antonio Villafaña, Minister of Construction of Cuba, convened at the Ministry of Construction headquarters in Hanoi for bilateral talks. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in construction management between the two nations and fostering investment and trade opportunities for Vietnamese and Cuban companies within the sector.

The meeting was attended by representatives from various departments and agencies under the Ministry of Construction. Leaders from prominent corporations and state-owned enterprises within the Vietnamese and Cuban construction industries were also present. Representing CONINCO were Mr. Phan Ngoc Cuong, Member of the Board of Directors and General Director, and Mr. Nguyen Dac Phuong, Deputy General Director.

In an atmosphere of friendship, understanding, and mutual trust, Minister Nghi and Minister Villafaña discussed the economic outlook of their respective countries. They provided updates on the performance and advancements within the construction industry in 2023 and the first half of 2024. The Ministers also explored measures to enhance bilateral cooperation and addressed shared concerns

Minister Nghi expressed his pleasure in welcoming Minister Villafaña and the Cuban delegation to Vietnam. He emphasized the crucial role Vietnamese and Cuban businesses play in effectively implementing bilateral cooperation projects. Minister Nghi also highlighted the need to review existing projects and acknowledge the accomplishments both nations have achieved within the construction sector. While acknowledging the successes, Minister Nghi raised concerns regarding the challenges faced by Vietnamese companies operating in Cuba. He requested Minister Villafaña and the Cuban Ministry of Construction to prioritize addressing these difficulties to create a more favorable and stable environment for Vietnamese businesses.

To further advance the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba, Minister Nghi proposed that both Ministries prioritize the exchange of strategies to bolster economic, trade, and investment ties. He stressed the importance of enhancing the efficiency of the construction industry and ensuring the fulfillment of previously signed agreements and commitments outlined in the Minutes of the 41st Session of the Vietnam-Cuba Intergovernmental Committee.

Minister Villafaña expressed his gratitude to Minister Nghi and the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction for their warm hospitality. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Party, Government, State, and people of Vietnam on the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, a dear friend of Cuba and a leader who made significant contributions to fostering stronger ties between the two nations.

Minister Villafaña affirmed that over the years, both ministries have dedicated considerable effort to promoting trade and investment, fostering high hopes for future growth. He recognized the support provided by the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction and Vietnamese businesses in enabling Cuban companies to participate in consulting and supervisory roles for several projects, as well as contributing to capacity building initiatives within Vietnam. Minister Villafaña expressed his appreciation for the investment and business ventures undertaken by Vietnamese companies in Cuba, particularly in areas such as industrial park infrastructure, construction material production, essential goods, and renewable energy. He acknowledged the positive impact these endeavors have had on Cuba’s economic stability and development.

Minister Villafaña emphasized Cuba's commitment to addressing obstacles and creating an environment conducive to successful investment for Vietnamese companies. He expressed hope that the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction will continue to facilitate and strengthen collaboration between businesses from both countries, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing and exchanging best practices in construction management.

Minister Nghi thanked Minister Villafaña for his insights and affirmed the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction's readiness to share information and expertise in construction management. He highlighted Vietnam’s willingness to share its experience in areas like housing and urban development, construction investment management, and the development of construction materials.

CONINCO, as a leading construction consultancy firm in Vietnam with 45 years of experience, boasts first-class capabilities in most types of projects. The company has undertaken consultancy work for thousands of large-scale projects both domestically and regionally, earning the trust of the Ministries of Construction in both Vietnam and Cuba. This trust has facilitated a partnership between CONINCO and DINVAI Vietnam Company Limited to cooperate on construction supervision for several industrial park projects in Vietnam. Furthermore, CONINCO has recently supported DINVAI Vietnam Company Limited in obtaining a Grade II construction certificate for civil works. This support has strengthened the company's operational capacity, creating more opportunities for the Cuban company to participate in future projects in Vietnam. 

In closing, both Ministers pledged to maintain close coordination in implementing existing high-level agreements, emphasizing the need for a focused, strategic, and results-oriented approach to cooperation. Minister Nghi wished Minister Villafaña and the Cuban delegation a fruitful visit to Vietnam, expressing his hope that the robust partnership between the two ministries will continue to flourish, contributing to the overall success of the comprehensive cooperation strategy between Vietnam and Cuba.