|
Vietnam boosts trade cooperation with Sichuan province of China
A forum on trade promotion between Vietnam and Sichuan province of China was held in Hanoi on April 8 to increase the exchange of information on the two sides’ potential and advantages and help them expand investment and strengthen economic cooperation.
Speaking at the forum, Deputy Director of Sichuan provincial Department of Trade, Jia Zhuang Miao, said that in recent years, Sichuan has actively integrated into the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and considers border trade promotion as a key measure to boost its economic development.
At present, Sichuan has nearly 10,000 businesses, mostly operating in the industrial sector. The province is focusing on upgrading its transport infrastructure, developing its service distribution network and training human resources in order to attract foreign investors, he said.
The Chinese trade official also extended an invitation to Vietnamese businesses to come and look into opportunities for investment and cooperation with Sichuan.
Head of the Asian-Pacific Department under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Dao Tran Nhan, affirmed the importance of boosting economic cooperation with Sichuan and called for more investment contracts between the two sides.
In 2008, Vietnam earned around US$230 million from exports to Sichuan, doubling the previous year’s figure. Key export items included semiconductors and electronic products. The country also imported goods worth US$330 million from Sichuan, mostly steel, suitcases and garments and textile products.
In addition, companies from Sichuan are also investing billion of US$ into two thermal-electric power plants in the northern province of Hai Phong.
VOV
|
