Vietnam and Egypt have agreed to increase the exchange of
delegations in order to boost trade ties between the two countries.
The agreement was reached at the June 26 working session in
Cairo between a Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of
Industry and Trade Le Duong Quang and the Egyptian Ministry of Commerce.
The session discussed cooperative opportunities in
industry, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and pharmaceutical products
between the two countries.
Deputy Minister Quang said
Vietnam wishes to promote two-way trade with Egypt , while the host
officials said Egypt wants to learn from Vietnam ’s experience
in boosting exports.
Two-way trade between the two countries
reached about 300 million USD in 2012, representing a year-on-year rise
of 12 percent, with Vietnam exporting more than 297 million USD
worth of goods to Egypt , up 16 percent.
The Deputy
Minister proposed that the two sides actively prepare for the fifth
meeting of the Vietnam-Egypt Intergovernmental Committee and organise
activities to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic
ties this year.
Vietnam is willing to share its
experience in areas that Egypt wants to focus on, he said,
suggesting that the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnamese Trade Office
in Cairo should work as a bridge for trade links and cooperation
between the two countries.
Marawan Bard, a representative
from the Egyptian Ministry of Commerce, called on Vietnamese businesses
to invest in his country and engage in joint ventures with Egyptian
partners in export processing.
He introduced the country’s
export processing zones which are located in favourable geographical
conditions linking with Africa , Asia and Europe , and suggested
that Vietnam take part in export and production activities in
Egypt through tri-party deals.
Before Egypt, the
Vietnamese delegation made a trip to Israel from June 22-25, during
which they worked with the Israel Ministries of Economy and
Environmental Protection and organised a gathering for the two
countries’ businesses.
After Egypt, the delegation will
visit Sudan where they are scheduled to have working sessions with
relevant ministries and branches to explore the country’s trade
mechanisms, policies and market.-VNA