A forum focusing on economic cooperation between Vietnam and the Middle East - North Africa will take place in Hanoi on November 4-5, the Foreign Ministry announced at a press conference on October 30.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Phuong Nga told the media that this is the first time a large-scale event on the ties between Vietnam and the region has been held in Vietnam.

She added that the forum is one of the most important external economic events in Vietnam this year, manifesting the Vietnamese Government’s attention to economic ties with the Middle East and North African countries.

Despite their geographical distance, Vietnam and countries in the Middle East and North Africa have long established friendly relations that have seen remarkable progresses in recent years, Nga noted.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and the region hit 7.4 billion USD last year, up by nearly nine fold from 10 years ago. Bilateral trade between Vietnam and some regional countries has already surpassed 1 billion USD each year.

The event aims to brief guest businesses on the country’s economic policies and investment opportunities while giving policy makers a chance to meet and exchange views on how to boost ties and cooperation.

Participating businesspeople are also expected to extend their contact bases and reach cooperation deals.-VNA