Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung left Chongqing City on October 17, wrapping up his visits to the city and Sichuan province and his attendance of the 10 th Western China International Trade Fair.

Before departing, PM Dung met with Chongqing Mayor Wang Hongju and took part in the Vietnam-China ( Chongqing ) trade and economic cooperation forum.

At the meeting with the Chongqing Mayor, PM Dung praised Chongqing ’s successes in the cause of openness and reform, particularly in the context of the global economic crisis. The city has managed to maintain a high growth rate and its important role as a big financial, banking, educational and training centre in China ’s Great Southwest region.

He suggested that Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities and Chongqing should establish proper mechanisms and adopt specific and practical measures to step up their cooperation, especially in economy, trade, investment, science and technology, education, culture, sports and tourism.

The Chongqing Mayor hailed PM Dung’s visit as an important event contributing to boosting the two countries’ friendship and economic trade and investment cooperation.

The Chinese official said there are potentials for Vietnamese and Chongqing localities to cooperate in construction materials production, hydro-electricity, and infrastructure building as well as in the chemical industry, information technology, processing, and construction of hi-tech zones.

He said Chongqing has encouraged its businesses to import rubber, seafood, rice, fruits, footwear, fine art handicrafts, coconut products and other consumer products from Vietnam .

The Chongqing Mayor discussed with PM Dung a host of measures to ratchet up economic, trade and investment cooperation between Chongqing and Vietnamese localities and sectors.

At the Vietnam-China ( Chongqing ) trade and economic cooperation forum, PM Dung said he was joyous to see rapid development in Chongqing , which currently ranks third in Chinese localities with an annual GDP growth rate of 14-15 percent.

The PM said the Vietnamese Government values economic ties with Chongqing , whose businesses have to date invested in 12 projects with a total capital of 35 million USD in Vietnam .

After the forum, PM Dung witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Tourism Administration, and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry with Chongqing authorities./.