The Czech Republic attaches importance to developing trade ties with Vietnam , representative of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade Jirina Zakova said on Oct. 19.

Speaking at a press briefing on the eastern European country’s participation in the 18th Vietnam International Industrial Fair (VIIF 2009) to be held in Hanoi from Oct. 20-24, the officer said the event will offer chances for businesses of both countries to seek partners.

In 2008, two-way trade value reached 287 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 14 percent, with Vietnam exporting goods worth 253 million USD to the Czech Republic .

Vietnam is an important partner of the Czech Repbulic in economics and trade, Martin Vlastnik, Trade Counsellor of the Czech Embassy to Vietnam, said, adding that his country counts Vietnam among those nations it gives priority to in its export strategy for the 2006-2010 period.

Products to be introduced by Czech’s businesses at VIIF 2009 include superior industrial equipment, some of which has already been utilised in Vietnam./.