National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue attended the Vietnam-Argentina Business Forum (Phot: VOV)

Addressing the forum, Cecilia Todesca Bocco, Secretary for International Economic Relations under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina, said in the last five years, two-way trade between Vietnam and Argentina expanded 54%. She added that Vietnam has become the sixth largest trade partner of Argentina, with Argentina's exports of 3.2 billion USD and imports of 1.24 billion USD.

Cecilia Todesca Bocco held that there are plenty of rooms for the two sides to promote collaboration, underlining the need for them to strengthen cooperation among ministries, sectors and localities.

She said the forum intended to discuss potential cooperation projects and directions for bilateral cooperation for the next 50 years.

Addressing the forum, NA Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong said: "The two sides need to diversify export items to raise bilateral trade and gradually balance bilateral trade. Vietnam wishes to increase the export of high-quality products of its strength meeting the needs of the Argentine market such as textile products, leather and footwear, agricultural and aquatic products, wood and furniture, and construction materials. Meanwhile, Argentina can continue to export corn and soybeans with stable supply and prices to Vietnam,"

NA Vice Chairman Phuong said he hopes Vietnam and Argentina will resume negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Mercosur, which is expected to help create a breakthrough in improving the competitive advantages for businesses of both sides in penetrating each other's market.