Vietnam expects US$2 billion trade target with Bangladesh

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong made the statement at a reception in Hanoi on August 15 for Bangladeshi Ambassador Samina Naz, who came to bid farewell marking the end her term of office in Vietnam.

At the meeting, President Thuong congratulated Ambassador Samina Naz on successfully completing her six-year working term in Vietnam, and hailed her positive and effective contributions to deepening the Vietnam-Bangladesh friendship and cooperation over recent years.

The Vietnamese Stat leader believes that regardless of her position, the Ambassador will continue to contribute to and nurture the relationship between the two countries.

Through the Bangladeshi diplomat, President Vo Van Thuong respectfully extended his greetings to Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Ambassador Samina Naz expressed her admiration and joy over Vietnam's achievements in all aspects, with its constantly rising international position, adding that Bangladesh always attaches great importance to and desires to learn from Vietnam's development experience.

Amid both nations celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, Ambassador Samina Naz showed her elation at the sound development of the Vietnam-Bangladesh relationship in a variety of fields, in which the trade turnover of roughly US$1.5 billion is one of the bright spots.

Along with recent delegation exchanges, the Ambassador said she hopes that bilateral relations will grow and flourish in the coming time, especially in the field of tourism, including spiritual tourism and Buddhism.

Samina Naz expressed her confidence that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam will continue to reap even greater achievements in the future.

In response, President Vo Van Thuong emphasized that Vietnam and Bangladesh have maintained a long-standing traditional relationship, while stating that Bangladesh is one of the few countries in South Asia that established early diplomatic ties with Vietnam, 50 years ago.

The two countries have many similarities, especially in economic development, in which both place importance on attracting foreign investment capital on the basis of abundant human resources, thus enabling them to share experience in cooperation, Thuong told his guest.

President Thuong agreed with the Ambassador on the positive development of the two countries' relations, especially, bilateral trade has increased four times over the past 10 years and the two sides have stepped up efforts to achieved the trade target of US$ 2 billion over the next few years

Given that there is still plenty of room for both nations to further boost cooperative ties, the President suggested strengthening cooperation in the coming time, especially the exchange of high-level delegations in a bid to promote comprehensive cooperation.

He wished Bangladesh a successful organization of the upcoming general election, thereby, further pushing up cooperation with Vietnam in a multitude of areas.

Thuong also asked the two countries continue to support each other at regional and international multilateral forums, while voicing Vietnam’s support for the strengthening of relations between Bangladesh and ASEAN on the basis of strengths of each side.