VN, Belgium move to raise economic cooperation

Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai and Belgium's Deputy PM Johan Vande Lanotte witnesses the signing of cooperative agremeents - Photo: VGP/Nguyen Linh

Deputy PM and Minister of Economy, Consumer affairs and North Sea Johan Vande Lanotte is paying an official visit to Viet Nam from January 18-22 at the invitation of Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai.

At their talks in Ha Noi on January 20, Deputy PM Hai spoke of the bilateral relations in all fields, including delegation exchange, trade and investment connection and active cooperation at multilateral forums and with international organizations.

He said the two nations’ cooperation is potential, especially in the areas of harbor, logistics, transport, green technology and high technology.

The Belgian Deputy PM highly valued Viet Nam's renovation and development achievements and praised the two sides’ cooperation.

The two leaders agreed to encourage and create favorable conditions for respective businesses to partner in potential areas. Belgium is ready to help Viet Nam expand ties with other nations in the EU.

They also exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation and development as well as projects in the framework of the orientated cooperative program to 2015.

Two-way trade turnover between Viet Nam and Belgium rose 70% in 2003-2011, reaching around €1.2 billion each year. Belgium is the sixth largest trade partner of Viet Nam in the EU.

After the talks, the two sides signed a number of agreements, including the Support to the Innovation and Development of Business Incubators Policy Project (BIPP) in Viet Nam and a commercial contract to provide Viet Nam with Natural Resources Environment and Disaster monitoring small Satellite VNREDSat-1B.

By Thuy Dung