Vietnam encourages its businesses to boost investment in Cuba in the fields of consumer goods production and agriculture, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz in Hanoi on October 3.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz

Receiving the minister, who is in Vietnam for the 35th meeting of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Governmental Committee, the PM spoke highly of Cuba’s policies to facilitate Vietnamese investment in multiple areas.

Vietnam will do its best to share experience in socio-economic development with Cuba, the Government leader affirmed.

For his part, the Cuban official updated PM Phuc on results of the committee’s 35th meeting during which the two sides reviewed the implementation of their trade and economic cooperation in recent years and put forward specific measures to enhance the two countries’ cooperation in the time ahead.

Cuba has exported food products to Vietnam for the first time, he said, adding that it has been working with the Vietnam Northern Food Corporation (Vinafood) for rice export to Cuba, he said.

The minister expressed his hope that more investors from Vietnam will be present in Cuba and the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development will open a representative office in his country to facilitate two-way trade.

Vietnam, Cuba vow to foster multifaceted cooperation

The 35th meeting of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Governmental Committee wraps up 

The 35th meeting of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Governmental Committee concluded in Hanoi on October 3, reaching a consensus to soon sign a new trade agreement and facilitate the implementation of investment projects in the two countries.

Vietnamese Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha said that at the meeting, the two sides agreed to continue enhancing the efficiency of the committee’s operations in a practical and specific manner, and were unanimous in several new points in cooperative agreements in numerous fields.

Both were determined to lift economic cooperation to match the good political ties between the two Parties and countries, Ha stated.

Along with achieved results, there remained several shortcomings and difficulties that need to be solved in the time ahead, he added.

Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz stressed that Vietnam and Cuba are at their best to strengthen their trade ties.

The two countries plan to conclude negotiations on a new trade agreement in the fourth quarter of 2017 in order to bring two-way trade to 500 million USD in the next five years.

Many Vietnamese firms, including Viglacera, Hanel, Tin Thanh and Thai Binh, have worked closely with Cuban partners to get licences for their investment in Cuba in construction materials, consumer goods, hotel, and renewable energy.

At the meeting, the ministers also agreed on cooperation possibilities in potential aspects such as tourism and medical tourism.

Vietnam-Cuba inter-governmental committee proves effective: officials

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung (R) receives Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz on October 3 (Photo: VNA)

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung received Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz in Hanoi on October 3, applauding activities of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Governmental Committee of which Díaz is a co-chairman.

Deputy PM Dung offered sympathies on Cuba’s heavy human and property losses caused by hurricane Irma. He reiterated the Vietnamese Party, State and people’s appreciation of the special sentiment and precious support that Cuba has given to Vietnam throughout history.

Applauding activities of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Governmental Committee, the official said it is a suitable and effective cooperation mechanism, so both sides should make concerted efforts to implement agreements reached at each meeting of the committee.

The two countries should continue expanding cooperation in more spheres that match their demand and strength, Dung said, noting that the two sides have actively implemented the reached agreements, especially those on cooperation in rice production, maize and soya cultivation, and coffee and aquaculture development, helping Cuba improve its production capacity and ensure food security.

The countries are also promoting cooperation in health care and biology, the Deputy PM added.

He and the Cuban minister shared the view that bilateral relations are in their prime and keep growing in all fields, particularly in economy and science-technique, helping to bring economic ties on par with the sound political relationship.

Minister Díaz said the cooperation mechanism of Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Governmental Committee is proving effective, contributing to the implementation of the two Governments’ agreements. Both sides are working hard to raise bilateral trade to 500 million USD in the next five years.

He noted Vietnamese firms like Viglacera, Hanel, Tin Thanh and Thai Binh are coordinating with Cuban partners to seek licenses for their investment projects on construction material and household appliance production, hotel building, and renewable energy development in the Latin American country.

Cuba conveys sympathy to Vietnam over devastating storm, flood

Cleaning a school in Ba Don town of Quang Binh province after Doksuri Typhoon (Photo: VNA)

First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba’s Central Committee and President of the Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz has sent a message of sympathy to Vietnamese leaders over heavy losses triggered by the recent storm and flood in the central region.

The message was sent to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and families of the disaster’s victims.

In late September this year, Doksuri, the 10th storm arising in the East Sea and the strongest one hitting Vietnam in many years, caused severe damage to Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien – Hue provinces.

It left over 10 people dead and missing and more than 200 injured, along with a total property loss of 11 trillion VND (484 million USD).

VNA