The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the first ever Vietnamese-Latin American forum on trade and investment in Hanoi on July 5-6.
At a press conference in Hanoi on June 28, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Phuong Nga said the forum aims to enhance trade and investment ties between Vietnam and Latin America .
In carrying out its external policy of diverse and multi-lateral international relations and active international integration, Vietnam always pays special attention to developing comprehensive cooperation with Latin American countries, added Nga.
Two way trade between Vietnam and Latin America has been increasing steadily and is now 17 times higher than it was 10 years ago, from $300 million in 2000 to $5.1 billion in 2011.
With their strength and potential, Vietnam and the Latin American countries have many opportunities to develop trade and investment further.
Nga stressed that the forum will create chances for potential partners to meet each other and examine opportunities for cooperation.
According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, 16 Latin American countries have confirmed they would be sending delegations to the event while more than 200 Vietnamese and Latin American businesses have already registered to participate.
As scheduled, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will attend the forum and deliver the opening address.
A general discussion and three seminars will be held after the opening session, focusing on business and investment; the environment; transportation; logistics; the connectivity of telecommunications and services and partnerships in agriculture and energy between Vietnam and Latin America.