(VOVWORLD) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received the Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Hanoi on Monday, calling on the UAE to work closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade to soon finalize talks on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
 PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Hanoi on June 5, 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
The UAE is one of the leading economic partners of Vietnam in the Middle East, PM Chinh stated, noting that the two countries’ friendship and cooperation have been flourishing in multiple spheres, including politics - diplomacy, trade, investment, education, tourism, and energy. In particular, bilateral trade turnover last year reached more than 4.4 billion USD.
The Government leader requested the two countries actively coordinate and support each other at international and regional forums, including enhancing ties between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council. He also suggested that the UAE view Vietnam as a bridge linking it with ASEAN and act as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter Middle Eastern markets.
Minister of State Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi noted that Vietnam accounts for 30% of the UAE’s trade turnover with Southeast Asia.
During his visit, many UAE enterprises and organizations, including two large investment funds, have also come to learn about the local investment climate, and they are interested in such fields as renewable energy, logistics, and health care in Vietnam, according to the official.
Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi affirmed that Vietnam is one of the important partners of the UAE, which hopes to continue promoting cooperation in labour export, digital transformation, culture, and education.