HANOI: Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said a balanced two way-trade volume of US$18 billion between Vietnam and Malaysia, its second-largest trading partner in Asean, can be achieved.
Two-way trade surpassed US$14.8 billion last year, up 17.9 per cent from previously. Malaysia is also among the top 10 biggest investors in Vietnam, with 718 valid projects with a total registered capital of US$13 billion.
Chinh suggested both sides continue with effective cooperation in various fields under the Plan of Action to Implement the Strategic Partnership for the 2021-2025 period, facilitate the exchange of high-level delegations, and jointly hold celebrations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Speaking at a reception on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Malaysia diplomatic ties this year, Chinh welcomed Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Chinh lauded the seventh meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, co-chaired by Zambry and his Vietnamese counterpart, to review the implementation of cooperation agreements between the two countries in preparation for the official visit by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Zambry affirmed that Malaysia always values and wishes to further enhance multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, its sole strategic partner in ASEAN, reported Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the achievements made by the two countries in various areas, especially in economy, trade, and investment.
PM Chinh suggested both sides continue with effective cooperation in various fields under the Plan of Action to Implement the Strategic Partnership for the 2021-2025 period, facilitate the exchange of high-level delegations, and jointly hold celebrations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Vietnam will create favourable conditions for Malaysian firms to expand their operations in the country, he said.
Both sides need to bolster collaboration in other important areas such as national defence, security, maritime, education-training, sci-tech, labour, culture, sports, tourism, and people-to-people exchange while expanding joint work in emerging fields such as digital economy, circular economy, and green energy.
Chinh proposed Malaysia help Vietnam build capacity and develop the Halal industry, as well as recognise the country’s efforts in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and support the European Union’s removal of the IUU yellow card warning against Vietnam’s fisheries industry. – BERNAMA-VNA
