The forum was attended by more than 40 Vietnamese businesses in the fields of textiles and garments, leather shoes, foodstuffs, construction materials, motorbikes, silver and gold products, petroleum, liquefied gases, real estate, and pharmaceuticals. More than 90 Uruguayan enterprises with keen interest in the Vietnamese market also took part in the forum.

Addressing the event’s opening ceremony, State Vice President Doan highlighted the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Uruguay. She said that Vietnam is undergoing a process of industrialization and needs to develop a number of its industries that Uruguay specializes in such as construction, mining, food processing, and seafood. Vietnam can export light industrial products, household electric appliances and electronics to the South American nation.

The Uruguayan Minister of Economy and Finance, Alvaro Garcia, commended the visit by Vietnamese enterprises and expressed his hope that the forum would open the doors to businesses from both countries to establish mutually beneficial partnerships.

Vietnam-Uruguay two-way trade hit US$69.3 million in 2008, more than double from the previous year. Vietnam mainly ships commodities such as shoes, printers, coconut products, tyres, sewing machines, and garments to Uruguay. Meanwhile, Uruguay provides Vietnam with wood, finished leather, medicines, lamb, and dairy products.