Vietnamese entrepreneurs abroad play an important role in expanding Vietnam’s external relations and international integration, says Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai. Hai was speaking at the opening ceremony of a meeting in Da Lat city on August 7 between more than 230 overseas Vietnamese (OV) and over 100 domestic businesses. He confirmed that the government encourages OV businesses to establish partnerships with their domestic counterparts to capitalize on opportunities for cooperation, contributing more to the homeland. The meeting, the second of its kind, aims to create exchange channels between OV and domestic businesses to fully tap local and global markets. To make the meeting a great success, the Deputy PM asked participants to examine difficulties and challenges the businesses face in establishing contacts and seeking outlets for products. He also asked them to share managerial experience, support each other in expanding markets and improving competitive capacity, and make recommendations to the State to bring into full play the important role of the entrepreneurs community in national development. In 2012, OV remittances hit a record high of US$10 billion, up 10% over the previous year’s figure. At present, more than 3,600 OV entrepreneurs are operating in Vietnam, with a total investment of over US$8.6 billion. VOV