(VOVworld)- The Vietnam-Czech Republic Business Forum opened in Ho Chi Minh city on Thursday. The Czech Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lubomir Zaoralek was among the attendees, who highlighted the two countries’ potential for economic, trade and investment cooperation. In the first 8 months of this year, two-way trade between Vietnam and the Czech Republic reached 165 million USD. The Czech Republic ranks 44th out of 105 countries and territories investing in Vietnam and is one of Vietnam’s strategic export market. Addressing the forum, Minister Lubomir Zaoralek said the Czech Republic would export to Vietnam energy products, equipment, machinery, mechanics, automobiles, health care facilities, as well as nano and bio-technology. At a meeting with the Czech Minister later the same day, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan urged the two countries’ businesses to expand their cooperation.