Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang have discussed with several Australian ministers an array of issues regarding the two countries’ cooperation in trade and energy during Hoang’s visit to Australia from April 22-28.

At Hoang’s meeting with Australian Minister for Trade and Competitiveness Craig Emerson, the discussions focused on how to make the best use of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement as well as cooperation in food hygiene, quarantine and the transfer of seafood processing technologies.

The two ministers took note of the outcomes so far in cooperation in policies on competitiveness, and agreed to encourage the two countries’ trade promotion agencies – the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Australian Trade Promotion Commission, to continue their efficient and sustainable cooperation.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese side called on Australia to back proposals of the Australian Seafood Importers’ Association to open a sea food quality control office in Vietnam in order to facilitate the export of Vietnamese products to Australia.

The two ministers also exchanged views on achievements as well as efforts in the Trans-Asia Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiation process. They agreed to tighten cooperation in negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership between ASEAN and partners.

The Australian side said it will consider and give official opinions on the continuation of the post-WTO technical support programme for Vietnam through the Australian Agency for International Development.

Responding to Vietnam’s suggestions to strengthen the two countries’ linkages in energy, the Australian minister expressed support of the extension of the memorandum of understanding in energy cooperation.

Hoang also met with Australian Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Tourism Gary Gray, during which they discussed cooperation in oil exploration and exploitation, the import-export of coal, the production and import-export of liquefied natural gas and energy saving.

During the visit, Minister Hoang witnessed the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding and contracts for long-term coal supply and cooperation in the fields of power and oil and gas between Vietnamese groups and Australian partners.

He also met with the governors of Queensland and New South Wales to seek ways to promote cooperation in energy and trade between Vietnam and the states.-VNA