Vietnam is aiming to become an innovative and reliable partner to New Zealand in the region's supply chain by encouraging the island nation's importers, distributors and retailers to explore collaboration opportunities, according to Deputy Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) Le Hoang Tai.

Economic and trade ties between Vietnam and New Zealand have developed continuously since the upgrade of bilateral ties to strategic partnership in September 2009, and the upcoming visit to New Zealand by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is an occasion for leaders of both countries to discuss orientations to further consolidate political trust and multifaceted cooperation.

There is great potential for Vietnam and New Zealand to further strengthen cooperation in terms of trade, industry and investment, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang at the 8th meeting of the Vietnam-New Zealand Joint Trade and Economic Commission (JTEC) held in Hanoi on May 23.

Economic and trade partnerships have always been one of the bright spots in the Vietnam - New Zealand relations, and the two countries are striving for US$2 billion in bilateral trade by 2024.

VOV.VN - Vietnam and New Zealand established diplomatic relations on June 19, 1975. New Zealand attaches the importance to relations with Vietnam, viewing the Southeast Asian nation as an important part of its policy in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietnam is trying to tap great potential to increase exports to New Zealand, a promising market where it has won only 1.7% of the local market share, held insiders.

Vietnam and New Zealand can complement each other and have huge potential for boosting trade and investment in various fields, particularly agriculture, heard at a conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 17.