Large room for Vietnam-Botswana cooperation: PM

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Botswana have enormous potential to enhance collaboration in the fields of their strengths like agriculture, seafood and healthcare, among others, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on August 26.

Hosting a reception for Botswana Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Unity Dow in Hanoi, PM Phuc said as two-way trade is still modest, both sides should work to complete the legal framework on economy and investment to boost cooperation in the sectors.

He asked Botswana to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese products such as food, consumer goods and electronic spareparts to penetrate into the African market.

The leader took the occasion to thank Botswana for supporting Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member at the UN Security Council, and hoped the country, with its prestige in the African region, will endorse Vietnam to set up relations with the African Union (AU), as well as enhance ties with the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Vietnam stands ready to serve as a bridge to connect Botswana and other ASEAN member states, he stressed.

Unity Dow, for her part, said she believed that her visit to Vietnam will help promote the bilateral relations, saying the signing of the agreement on visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders between the two foreign ministries will open new cooperation opportunities, and facilitate exchanges in all sectors.

Botswana want to foster all-round collaboration with Vietnam, she affirmed, adding her country will help Vietnam promote relations with AU and SADC members, and step up cooperation in the Non-Aligned Movement.-VNA