Lanka, Vietnam trade to increase to $ 100m

Gayan KANCHANA

Sri Lanka and Vietnam will increase bilateral trade to USD 100 million this year. “Hopefully, we will be able to increase trade between Vietnam and Sri Lanka from US $ 60 million to US $100 million this year,” said Minister, Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama at a joint media conference on Monday.

Minister, Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama and Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet at the second session of the Sri Lanka Vietnam Joint Commission. Picture by Saliya Rupasinghe

Sri Lanka and Vietnam entered into an agreement to expand trade and political relations between the two countries at the first session of Sri Lanka Vietnam Joint Commission in 2003.

The second session of the Sri Lanka Vietnam Joint Commission was held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Monday. The third session will be held in 2011 in Vietnam.

The Minister said, “According to the agreement we expect to boost trade, investments, political relations, food security, people to people relationships between the two countries’ and to expand cooperation to other fields such as agriculture, sports and tourism for the mutual benefit of both countries.” A Vietnamese Embassy will be opened in Sri Lanka soon to accelerate these activities.

“I convey the appreciation of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for the active role played by Vietnam in international fora, particularly the UN Security Council in supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to defeat terrorism”, he said. Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet said, “There is a historical relationship between Sri Lanka and Vietnam. This agreement will benefit both countries.

Vietnam is always ready to support Sri Lanka’s development and assist its people in their effort to maintain peace and stability in the country and in the international campaign against terrorism.”

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will pay an official visit to Vietnam in October this year, the Conference noted.