(VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai on Monday received Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik, who is in Vietnam to attend the ninth session of the Vietnam-Belarus inter-governmental Committee on economics, trade, and science technology.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai receives Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik (Photo: VNA)

Hai said that to boost bilateral cooperation, the inter-governmental committee should work more actively, while negotiations should be sped up for a bilateral free trade agreement and an agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Aleinik said Vietnam is an important partner in Asia and the two countries will continue to boost their bilateral trade, tourism, and education cooperation. He added that investment and trade relations with Belarus have a great potential to develop, especially in the fields of automobile assembly, electronic components, and engine machinery.