His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, KG, The UK Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, will pay a 2-day official visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on 5 and 6 October in support of UK Trade and Investment. During visits to Hanoi, the Duke of York will meet Government leaders as well as British and Vietnamese business executives.

The Duke of York will meet Prime Minister HE Mr Nguyen Tan Dung and attend a lunch hosted by the Minister of Planning and Investment Mr Vo Hong Phuc. He will meet a number of UK companies including Rolls Royce and HSBC.

The Duke of York will officially launch the third UK-Vietnam Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting to take place in Hanoi. His Royal Highness will also attend a dinner with Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai and a number of UK and Vietnam businesses.

The Duke of York’s visit to Vietnam aims to raise the UK’s profile as a major trading and investment partner for Vietnam, highlight further investment opportunities for British companies in Vietnam, and encourage Vietnam to regard the UK as a main business gateway into Europe. The UK ranks as Vietnam’s third largest EU investor (after France and the Netherlands) with 115 projects with a registered value of US$ 2.1 billion. Bilateral trade between the two countries is worth over US$1.9 billion in 2008.    

Notes for Editors

•  HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, KG, is the second son and the third child of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.
• The Duke of York was appointed The UK Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, working with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), in 2001. He is not paid for his work with UKTI. He previously served in the Royal Navy for over 20 years.
• As Special Representative, the Duke of York undertakes a wide range of official activities, including: visits overseas in support of UK market, sector and inward investment priorities; leading trade missions; and conducting business-focussed tours in the UK’s regions.
• UKTI is a British Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK. It aims to enhance the competitiveness of companies in the UK through overseas trade and investments; and attract a continuing high level of quality foreign direct investment to the UK.  
• This will be the Duke of York’s fourth visit to Vietnam following three previous visits in 1999, 2006 and 2008.

For further information, please contact: Nguyen Chau Man, Trade & Investment Officer (HCMC) at tel: (84 8) 38298433 ext 2212, fax: (84 8) 38221971; or Bui Cam Ha, Communications Manager (Hanoi) at tel: (84 4) 39360527, email: bui.ha@fco.gov.uk

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