The Uruguay Consulate was officially opened on Hai Ba Trung Street in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 on January 13.

Honorary Consul Nguyen Viet Loan Foster said the consulate would help strengthen bilateral relations between Uruguay and Vietnam in all fields, including trade, commerce, culture and tourism. 

Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Loan said that Uruguay has a strong economy with reliable and high-level institutions as well as a modern and attractive investment regime.

Doan Tuan Linh, deputy director of HCM City’s Department of External Affairs, said the relationship between Vietnam and Uruguay has been developing and that political relations are close, with regular exchange of delegations at central and local levels.

"Vietnam is a gateway to the ASEAN market for Uruguay," he said.

The two countries have signed a Framework Agreement on Trade and Investment which took effect in April 2016. It creates a favourable legal framework for bilateral exchange and cooperation, he said.

Bilateral trade turnover had reached 100 million USD as of the end of November 2016. “This figure remains modest compared with the potential of the two countries.”

"The establishment of the consulate will help improve trade, investment and other areas between Vietnam and Uruguay," he said.  

VNA