Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte on June 17 attended inauguration ceremonies for a significant number of projects in Haiphong city, intensifying cooperative relations between the two nations.

During a visit to the Damen Song Cam shipyard in Thuy Nguyen district, Rutte emphasized the Netherlands vast experience in the shipbuilding industry dating back centuries.

Viet Nam and the Netherlands have been cooperating in the field of shipbuilding ever since the Netherlands first docked a ship at Tien Lang port in Hai Phong over 400 years ago, he said, adding that the European nation is desirous of stepping up cooperation and elevating the partnership between the two nations.

Secretary of Hai Phong municipal Party’s Committee Nguyen Van Thanh in turn said Dutch businesses have invested more than US$200 million in many projects throughout the city, principally in shipbuilding and logistics.
Haiphong is committed to avidly supporting Dutch investment and amplifying cooperation, Thanh said.

PM Mark Rutte pressed a button to launch rescue boat Damen ASD3212 built for Venezuela. .

The Damen Song Cam shipyard was built on 40ha in the first phase by a Dutch company at a cost of EUR64 million.

PM Rutte also attended a ground-breaking ceremony for the C.STEINWG warehouse at Dinh Vu Industrial Zone.

The warehouse is expected to be put into operation in August 2015. In the first year of operation, it is estimated that around 20,000 tonnes of goods will be shipped via the warehouse worth US$40 million.

PM Mark Rutte affirming the investment demonstrates the Dutch businesses’ trust in Viet Nam’s future.