State President Truong Tan Sang has proposed Vietnam and Azerbaijan raise two-way trade to 1 billion USD in the coming years, and pledged to create optimal conditions for Azerbaijani businesses to operate in Vietnam.

Speaking at the Vietnam-Azerbaijan business forum on May 14, the President highly valued the bilateral trade, which topped 422 million USD in 2014 or a year-on-year increase of 30 percent.

He noted potential for stronger cooperation in labour, construction, healthcare and transport.

The State leader also informed businesses about a number of contents reached by leaders of the two nations, including delegation exchanges and trade promotion in respective markets.

He described bilateral cooperation in oil and gas as a long-term, strategic priority.

Earlier the same day, the President met with veteran Azerbaijani civilian and military experts who once helped Vietnam ’s national defence and construction.

He said he is pleased with progresses in the two countries’ relations, especially in the political and economic fronts, which have been strengthened via regular high-level delegation and trade exchanges in recent years.

He spoke in length Vietnam ’s socio-economic attainments after 30 years of “Doi Moi” (reform) process, as well as its foreign external policies of enhancing cooperative ties with traditional friends, including Azerbaijan .

For their part, veteran Azerbaijan experts showed their delight at the growing friendship between the two countries.

On May 15, President Truong Tan Sang met with the Vietnamese community in Azerbaijan , whom he described as an inseparable part of the nation.

He asked the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia and Azerbaijan to further support the overseas Vietnamese to do business and popularise Vietnam ’s culture to international friends.-VNA