On February 8, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received Brazilian ambassador Joao de Mendonca Lima Neto who paid a farewell visit before ending his term in Vietnam, and the US Export-Import Bank (Eximbank) President Fred Hochberg.

PM Dung expressed his delight with the new positive developments in cooperative relations between Vietnam and Brazil in politics, diplomacy, economics, education and science and technology. He affirmed that Vietnam will do its best to make bilateral cooperation more substantial and effective for the two countries’ mutual benefit and strong development.

The government leader said he hopes the Brazilian ambassador will act as a bridge of friendship helping to enhance cooperative relations between Vietnam and Brazil.

Mr Lima Neto said he is deeply impressed by the socio-economic achievements Vietnam has made over the past years, adding that both countries need to promote trade, investment, exchanges between businesses, and cooperation in education, culture, science and technology, and tourism.

At the meeting with Eximbank President Fred Hochberg, Mr Dung said he is happy to see Vietnam-US cooperation growing, especially in economics and investment, and that the US is currently among Vietnam’s biggest trade partners.

Vietnam wants to continue receiving more effective cooperation and support from Eximbank and will create favourable conditions for Eximbank to cooperate with the country, Mr Dung said.

Mr Fred Hochberg said his delegation’s visit to Vietnam aims to speed up his bank’s cooperation with and funding for Vietnam’s projects on energy and infrastructure development.

He expressed his hope that all the agreements signed with Vietnam during his visit will be carried out soon.

The same day, the Brazilian ambassador was also received by State President Truong Tan Sang.

President Sang told his guest that Vietnam attacted importance to the role and position of Brazil as the largest Latin American economy.

He said that the ambassador has made contributions to raising bilateral ties, making Brazil Vietnam's trade partner in Latin America, with two-way trade reaching US$1.5 billion in 2011.

VOV