Tehran, Hanoi Eye Joint Investment to Boost Economic Cooperation
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
Iran and Vietnam yesterday during the Forum on Iran-Vietnam Trade Cooperation called for joint investment as a way for expanding economic cooperation.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh and Vietnam Ambassador to Tehran Nguyen Hong Thach attended the forum which was chaired by Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Deputy for International Affairs Mohammad Reza Karbasi.
Addressing the forum, Le Quoc Doanh called for expansion of bilateral economic cooperation between both states. He also pointed to the meetings off presidents of both states, adding that political will for boosting cooperation is high and both sides should work to remove hurdles to push the volume of trade cooperation to the set target of $2b.
He also pointed to the capacities of the markets in the Middle East, adding that markets of the Middle East have special attraction, and Vietnam because of its joint border with China can be a gateway for exports of Iranian goods to China’s market and ASEAN states.
Doanh went on to say that with joint measures both countries can witness boom in their trade relations, and cooperation between Iran and Vietnam can lead to expansion of relations between Eastern region and the Middle East.
He underscored that joint investment can stabilize economic cooperation between both states and it is important for them.
Karbasi, for his part, welcomed the Vietnamese delegation adding that despite political will between both states, the economic relation has not reached the set target.
He went on to say that the trade volume between Iran and Vietnam declined by 30 percent in 2018and both countries should find ways to ease bilateral trade.
He said Iran’s exports to Vietnam stood at $364m and its imports were $186m in 2017 and the volume declined in 2018.
Karbasi said bartering goods is an impressive way for boosting trade volume between Iran and Vietnam, admitting that economic activists of both countries lack enough information about economic capacities of both states and exchange of information between chambers of commerce of both countries is necessary.
He also noted that exchange of trade delegation would be effective in bilateral economic exchanges.
Karbasi also added that direct flight between Tehran and Hanoi is very important. He also said that preparation of the grounds for joint investment and signing the preferential trade agreements are of the other issues which will be taken into consideration and implemented.
