At the event, Nam and Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Yeser Morad discussed measures to foster bilateral ties in numerous fields, in the hope of raising two-way trade from nearly US$400 million in 2014 to US$1 billion in the near future.

Nam spoke of the position and role of Egypt in the Middle East and North Africa, and its global influence, affirming that Vietnam always attaches importance to developing its multi-faceted co-operation with the country, which it considers one of its biggest partners in the region.

The two countries should intensify investment in agriculture, aquatic farming and processing, oil,gas, telecommunications, tourism and health care, he suggested.

He also proposed that Egypt grant its Halal certification to facilitate the export of Vietnamese meat products to Muslim nations.

Yeser Morad, in turn, praised Vietnam’s economic development and requested that Vietnamese enterprises increase their investments in Egypt’s advantageous fields of oil, gas and telecommunications.

Egypt wants to receive Vietnam’s support for its signing of a Treaty of Amity and Co-operation with ASEAN, he added.

The two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, pledging to co-ordinate and support each other at international forums.

During his visit, the Vietnamese official also met with Minister of International Co-operation Naglaa El Ehwany, during which he expressed his hope that the Egyptian ministry would exert more effort to boost bilateral economic exchanges.

He suggested the two countries speed up the exchange of technical delegations to soon realise previously signed agreements.

The host confirmed that the two countries’ fifth joint committee will be held in Hanoi shortly to review and sign several co-operation agreements on banking and insurance in order to create a legal foundation for economic and investment co-operation.