Thursday, 30 July 2009
A delegation led by the Deputy Industry and Trade Minister of Vietnam Le Zan Vin has visited Uzbekistan to participate in the third session of the Uzbek-Vietnamese Intergovernmental Commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation.
The delegation also held bilateral meetings in various ministries and departments of Uzbekistan to discuss issues of further expansion of cooperation, Jahon reports.
"Relations between Uzbekistan and Vietnam always have friendly character," Le Zan Vin said. "Uzbekistan is well familiar to Vietnamese people, many of whom have got here education and are holding now supervising posts in various branches of our country. We highly appreciate the friendship tested by time with our sincere, friendly and always hospitable Uzbek people".
During the session in Tashkent the sides have set the basic priority directions of mutual cooperation of both countries for the forthcoming period. As one of directions the sides defined foreign trade, providing increase in goods turnover.
In particular, Vietnam can export tropical, agricultural products, seafood, light industry products - sewing, textile products and footwear. In turn Uzbekistan can export cotton, fertilizers, silk, building materials, different technical facilities. Vietnam is interested in escalating of perspective trade and economic and investment cooperation with Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan has considerable potential in the field of exploration and production of oil and gas. Businesses of the two countries have made initial steps on teamwork in oil and gas sphere. Vietnam plans to participate in investment projects in the oil-and-gas sector of Uzbekistan through its Petrovietnam Company having operational experience on oil wells in 20 countries worldwide.
Another direction is cooperation in the field of agrarian sector. Uzbekistan is known all over the world as the supplier of various types of agricultural products, including cotton in which acquisition Vietnam is extremely interested. Vietnam is also the largest manufacturer and supplier of tropical, agricultural products, such as rice, natural rubber, coffee, tea, seafood.
"We hope for active cooperation in the field of science and education, professional training and exchange of educational programs. Considering that more than 3,000 Vietnamese people studied in high schools of Uzbekistan, we could continue successful cooperation in this sphere, having come into direct contacts between high schools and research establishments of our countries. Along with these spheres, important directions are also culture, sports and tourism," the Vietnamese diplomat added.
