Vietnam and Zanzibar (a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania) have agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, aquaculture, trade, health care, education and telecommunications in the near future.

The agreement was reached at talks between Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and visiting President of Zanzibar, Ali Mohamed Shein in Hanoi on November 23.

Shein expressed his delight at visiting Vietnam for the first time and admired the important achievements made by Vietnam during its renewal process and national development.

He said Zanzibar attaches importance to their traditional friendship with Vietnam and wants to share mutual experience in national development, especially in poverty reduction, and realising the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Doan highly valued Tanzanian leaders and people’s determination to implement the “Vision 2025” programme to improve the lives of citizens and boost their economic independence, turning Tanzania into a farm produce exporter.

The two sides agreed to enhance the exchange of high-ranking delegations and increase coordination between Vietnam and Tanzania at international forums.-VNA