Gholamhossein Shafei, President of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, speaks at the business forum (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – A Vietnam – Iran business forum washeld in Hanoi on April 20 with a view to fostering the two countries’friendship and economic-trade partnership.
The event attracted a number of Vietnamese andIranian companies engaging in garment, footwear, construction materials,aquatic and agricultural products, and household appliance production.
Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce andIndustry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc said the two countries have signed many agreementsrelating to agriculture, aquatic products, culture, education, banking, customsand aviation.
In 2016, bilateral trade reached 116.9 millionUSD, including 86.8 million USD worth of Vietnamese exports.
While Iran is a big market in the Middle Eastand has advantages of energy, petrochemistry and mining, Vietnam is a gatewayto the ASEAN region and boasts considerable agricultural and fishery potential,he noted.
Tourism is also a promising field for cooperationas Vietnam is home to many beautiful landscapes attractive to Iranian visitors,Loc added.
Gholamhossein Shafei, President of the IranChamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, said with the largestoil reserves in the world, Iran can supply Vietnam with petrochemical products,asphalt, polymer, base oil and minerals. In fact, it has exported a largevolume of asphalt and polymer to Vietnam every year.
He said Vietnam can act as a bridge for Iran’sgoods to enter other ASEAN countries. Meanwhile, Iran, located in a 400million-strong region, is also a gateway for Vietnamese products to access theMiddle Eastern, Central Asian and European markets.
Tran Van Tri, Chairman of the board of directorsof the An Viet Investment and International Cooperation JSC, highlighted thepotential partnership in cruise ship building and fishing.
He elaborated that as Iran owns rich fisheriesresources in the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf, its fisheries sector isattractive enough for Vietnamese firms to seek investment and cooperationopportunities.-VNA
VNA
