Forum boosts commercial ties with Sri Lanka
Viet Nam and Sri Lanka shared many historical and economic development similarities which the business communities of both countries could take full advantage of to pursue economic co-operation.
Vice chairman of Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hoang Van Dung made the statement yesterday at the Viet Nam and Sri Lanka business forum in Ha Noi.
The forum was designed to help businesses of both countries exchange information and seek investment opportunities in the fields of pharmaceuticals, healthcare, real estate, fisheries, farm machinery, technology, chemicals and foodstuff.
Dung told participants that the forum would be an opportunity to transmit information about Viet Nam's investment climate and its strategic orientation to the international community and Sri Lankan investors as well as enhance trade relations and two-way trade between the two countries in the future.
He said import turnover for both sides had continued to increase over the years. Bilateral trade posted more than US$50.5 million in 2009 and rose by $113.2 million last year. Viet Nam's trade surplus to Sri Lanka was $83.3 million, a figure that is expected to increase in the near future.
Vietnamese exports to Sri Lanka include machines, equipment, fabric, plastic, chemicals, tea and rubber-made products. Imports from Sri Lanka include animal feed, rubber, fabric, and garment and textile items.
Ivan Amarasinghe, Sri Lanka's ambassador to Viet Nam said "Sri Lanka's government is carrying out its open economy and I believe that co-operative, economic and trade relations between the two countries will be enhanced and raised to a higher level through both countries' business communities."
vietnamnews
|