The two sides compared notes on economic, commercial, scientific and technological cooperation and development, with a focus on investment, industry, transport, energy, construction, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

They briefed each other of the socio-economic status in their respective countries in the context of the global economic downturn, praised the outcomes of agreements reached from the previous sessions, and discussed specific ways of ironing snags to further enhance cooperation between the two countries.

In recent times, most Ukrainian familiar products have not been seen in the Vietnamese market because of tough competition against those from other countries. Consequently, Vietnam has asked Ukrainian businesses to renew their product designs and management to sharpen the competitiveness.

Vietnam mainly exports agro-forestry-aquatic products, garments and textiles, footwear, coffee, pepper, rice to Ukraine while importing wheat, fertiliser, iron & steel and machinery and equipment.

Over the past 10 months, total two-way trade turnover reached more than US$205 million in which, Vietnam exported US$96.2 million worth of goods to Ukraine and its import turnover hit US$109 million.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Le Danh Vinh said Vietnam wants both sides to promote trade ties and give reciprocal support to products of their concern and expressed the hope that with great efforts made by the Vietnam-Ukraine Inter-Governmental Committee, relations between the two countries will be elevated to a higher level in the future.