Cuba, Vietnam to boost joint ventures

Cuba: Cuba and Vietnam held a f›rum here today to explore ways to increase trade and business opportunities for the two nations, whose links go back almost half a century.

The director of International Relations of the Popular Council of Hanoi, Ha Van Que, highlighted the dynamic nature of bilateral links of long standing, he said.

He stressed that bilateral trade which in 2001 was of 45.6 million dollars, reached 500 million in 2008, the highest amount to date. For his part, the president of the entrepreneurse of the Popular Council of Hanoi, Nguyen Huu Thong, said the business round allowed to analyze trade and bilateral investments.

They also considered with the Cuban counterpart the organization of tourist groups and high-ranking hotels with the participation of Cuba, together with the exchange of industrial and electronic products, shoes, food and others.

In the opening ceremony, the president of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce Raul Becerra, stressed that both countries increase mutual trade and know-how. However, he said, there is potential to raise bilateral cooperation, including a bigger more diversified volume of exports.

Also addressing the f›rum was Anicia Garcia, director of the Center for Studies on Cuban Economy, who extolled the changes registered over the last few years in the island. The specialist highlighted the increasing role played by services of high aggregate value in the Cuban economy.

Cuba and Vietnam established diplomatic relations since 1960, characterized by solid friendship and solidarious links and the increasing Exchange of delegations at the highest level.

The meeting included business rounds and bilateral meetings.

Havana, Prensa Latina