(VOVworld) – The 10th meeting of the Vietnam-Algeria Intergovernmental Committee plays an important role in consolidating bilateral friendship and all-round cooperation. Minister of Construction Trinh Dinh Dung announced at the opening session in Hanoi on Wednesday.

The two countries have seen their economic relations grow over the years through the increase of trade. Vietnam earned 150 million USD from exports to Algeria last year, up 30% from 2012, and spent 3 million USD on importing Algerian products. Vietnam mainly exports coffee, rice, pepper, aquatic products, footwear, machines, and equipments to Algeria. The joint venture between the PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation and its Algerian partners has developed with hopes that official exploitation will begin at the end of this year.

Construction Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and Algerian Minister of Industry Development and Investment Promotion Amara Benyounes (Photo: VNA)

Minister Dung, who is also co-chairman of the Vietnam-Algeria Intergovernmental Committee, said: "The results are modest given the Vietnam-Algeria traditional friendship and their potential. I think we should further our cooperation. I appreciate your efforts in developing a cooperative relationship that will be mutually beneficial. Our focus will be oil exploitation, trade investment, health, education, exchange of expertise, agriculture, communication, tourism, and construction."       

The meeting – which lasts until Friday - will gather opinions to foster bilateral cooperation.