Vietnam, Belgium enhance bilateral ties

At the working session, the two sides discussed the economic ties between the two countries and reviewed outstanding recent developments in the bilateral relationship.

Since 1994, the Belgian government has provided Vietnam with EUR170 million in non-refundable aid and another EUR200 million in preferential credit loans.

Two-way trade has seen rapid and stable growth. Vietnam has exported US$800 million in goods to the Belgian market during the first eight months of the year, up 14% against the same period of 2012. Total imports from Belgium hit US$320 million in the same period, a year-on-year increase of 33%.

As of mid-September, Belgian investors were involved in 46 operational projects in Vietnam, with registered capital totalling US$136.9 million.

Both sides highlighted the important role of the Vietnam-Belgium Joint Committee, stressing that it creates numerous opportunities for co-operation between the two countries, making significant contributions to cementing and furthering bilateral trade and investment.

They then discussed co-operation orientations for the near future, mostly in the fields of high-tech, green tech, health services and seaport development.

At the meeting, Vietnam Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong and Belgium Foreign Deputy Minister Dirk Achten took part in the signing ceremony for contracts and memorandums of understanding between enterprises from each country in the fields of healthcare and the environment.

The first session was held in Hanoi on June 22, 2011, according to an initiative by the two countries' prime ministers to accelerate the development of bilateral relations.

(Source: Nhandannewspaperonline)