During a meeting with Cambodian Minister of Planning, Chhay Than in Hanoi on February 23, PM Dung praised results of talks between Mr Than and the Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment, Vo Hong Phuc. He said the visit will contribute to strengthening co-operative ties between the two countries. “Vietnam will do its utmost to further develop friendly and cooperative ties with Cambodia, bringing practical benefits for both sides,” he said.

PM Dung affirmed the Government is willing to support the two ministries to implement cooperative projects.

Vietnam currently has about 90 projects in Cambodia, with a combined capital of more than US$2 billion. Cooperation in aviation, telecommunications, industry and rubber plantation and processing made significant progress in recent years.

An investment promotion forum presided over by the two Prime Ministers will be held in Cambodia in April.

Minister Chhay Than congratulated Vietnamese leaders on the success of the 11^th National Party Congress and said Cambodian leaders praised Vietnam’s achievements in recent times. He added thanks for Vietnam’s assistance Cambodia has achieved peace, stability and development, local people’s living conditions have improved and the poverty rate reduced to 25.4 percent in 2010.

Minister Than said two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia in 2010 reached US$1 billion. More than 30 Vietnamese businesses invested in Cambodia in 2010 with total registered capital of nearly US$700 million.