Vietnam and Cambodia deputy PMs meet to boost ties

The 13th meeting of the Vietnam - Cambodia Joint Committee is taking place in Phnom Penh on February 10 and 11. The two countries will review co-operation in science and technology, economic development and culture, and will outline new ways to boost co-operation in 2014.

Visits by the Vietnamese and Cambodian prime ministers to the other's country in 2013 affirmed the unity between the two countries and relived the glorious common cause of defeating the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime.

In 2013, trade value between the two countries was estimated at US$3.5 billion, and a target of US$5 billion has been set for 2015.

Vietnam is Cambodia's third largest trade partner. Major exports to Cambodia include petrol, steel, clothes, agricultural machinery, chemicals and fertilisers, while Vietnam's main imports from Cambodia are latex and timber products.

As of 2013, Vietnamese investors had poured around US$3 billion into 127 projects in Cambodia, ranking 5th among the largest foreign investors in the country.

Last year, Vietnam and Cambodia inked ten co-operation agreements across a wide range of fields including extradition, education, sports and information.

(Source: Nhandan Newspaper Online)