The 7^th session of the Vietnam-Algeria Joint Commission opened in Algiers, Algeria, on February 26.

Vietnamese Minister of Construction Nguyen Hong Quan, and Algerian Minister of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Artisans Pustapha Benbada co-chaired the session.

At the meeting, the two sides will discuss how to expand the co-operation in new areas, define concrete steps, and focus on promoting information exchange between the two countries. This will help business circles to raise the mutual understanding and feasibility of co-operative projects, said Minister Quan.

He added that Vietnam attaches importance to developing ties with Algeria and will do its utmost to lift the two countries' relations to a new height.

Minister Benbada stressed that the prospects of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Investment and Development Company operating under PetroVietnam are optimistic. However, the combined potential of the two countries' has not been tapped, therefore the two sides should pay attention to expanding cooperation in areas such as construction, fisheries, agro-industry, tourism, culture, education, scientific research, sports and youth.

The two sides should exchange information on economy and investment co-operation, encourage trade, and create an environment for businesses of the two countries to develop a sustainable partnership.