PM Phuc highly expects US$3 billion in Vietnam-Belgium trade
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has suggested Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen step up greater efforts to help raise two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Belgium to US$3 billion in the time ahead.
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| Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomes Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen (Photo: VGP) |
Phu expressed his satisfaction with the official visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, particularly the good results achieved at the talks with the Belgian Prime Minister and meetings with the Belgian King and other leaders, noting that the outcomes will be a solid foundation for strengthening the relationship between Belgium and Vietnam. He said he hopes to welcome his Belgian counterpart's visit to Vietnam at an earliest date.
Vietnam-Belgium relations have progressed steadily in all aspects, as shown by an annual increase in two-way trade turnover with US$2.3 billion being recorded in the first 10 months of 2018, and the growing number of Belgian businesses investing in Vietnam, Phuc said.
The Vietnamese cabinet leader urged the two countries to advance cooperation in education and human resource training, saying Vietnam has prepared for the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and wishes Belgium to back the signing and ratification of the trade pact.
For his part, Paul Jansen said Belgian enterprises desire to expand investment in Vietnam and call for visa exemption for Belgian citizens to Vietnam in order to further promote tourism and cross-cultural exchange.
The ambassador said he wants Belgium and Vietnam to offer mutual support and continue their close collaboration in peacekeeping operations and climate change adaptation.
Paul Jansen also affirmed his nation's support for Vietnam's participation in the EVFTA, which, he said, will help Vietnam derive substantial strategic and economic benefits from the deal.