From left to right: Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh, Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security  Teo Chee Hean and his spouse at the launching ceremony of the Viet Nam-Singapore Cooperation Center in Ha Noi on March 23, 2016.

Present at the launching ceremony included Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security  Teo Chee Hean, Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh.

The VSCC is an enhancement of an existing training center established in 2002 in Ha Noi under the Initiative for ASEAN Integration.

In her remarks, Singaporean Ambassador to Viet Nam Catherine Wong said more than 10,000 Vietnamese civil servants have attended training courses at the center over the past years.

Training courses cover various topics, including language, skills, economy, trade, tourism, public administration, governance and law, and information and communication.

The enhancement of the center reflects Singapore’s long-term commitment to meet Viet Nam’s development requirements and narrow development gap in the region, according to Wong.

The VSCC will provide new training courses, namely urban planning, education services, consultation, and humanitarian assistance, she added

Viet Nam and Singapore elevated their bilateral ties to strategic partnership in 2013 and the latter is the 3rd biggest foreign investor in Viet Nam.