Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang to visit Israel, Egypt
VOV.VN - Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang will pay official visits to Israel and Egypt from July 24 to 27, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press communique released on July 20.
Vietnam and Israel established diplomatic ties on July 12, 1993, and bilateral relations have developed substantively, making the two countries become each other’s important partners in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, respectively.
The two countries have maintained regular exchanges of delegations, phone talks and bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Their two-way trade turnover last year reached US$2.2 billion, up 22% over the previous year. As of March 2023, Israel had 41 valid investment projects in Vietnam, with a total investment capitalization of US$145.5 million.
The two sides have completed negotiations of a Vietnam – Israel free trade agreement (VIFTA) and are preparing to sign the deal. This is the first FTA between Vietnam and a state in the Middle East, helping to spur economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries in the time to come.
Cooperation in other fields such as science-technology, agriculture, high technology and people-to-people exchanges has also been strengthened over the years.
Meanwhile, Vietnam and Egypt are celebrating 60 years of their diplomacy this year (September 1). Bilateral cooperation has been enhanced in various fields in recent times. The two countries have maintained the exchange of delegations at all levels, and they have coordinated closely at regional and international forums.
Vietnam and Egypt have signed a number of cooperation agreements in the fields of economy, trade, investment, culture and tourism. Vietnam is Egypt’s fifth largest trading partner in Africa, with their two-way trade turnover last year hitting nearly US$600 million.
As of march 2022, Egypt had 21 valid projects valued at US$2.83 million in Vietnam.
Quang’s visit is to implement the government’s scheme of developing relations between Vietnam and countries in the Middle East and Africa for 2016-2025, and developing the Halal industry of Vietnam till 2030.
