Vietnam and Turkey need to step up cooperation in the fields of trade and investment to match the potentials and aspirations of both sides, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said on Oct. 29.

While receiving Rifat Hisarciklioglu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), PM Dung expressed his delight at the fruitful development of the bilateral relationship, particularly in economics, trade and investment, noting that two-way trade value is likely to reach 1 billion USD in the years to come.

The government leader applauded positive cooperation between TOBB and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), as well as their agreement to establish a Vietnam-Turkey Joint Business Council.

PM Dung asked TOBB and VCCI to take measures to accelerate investment promotion activities for businesses from the two nations for the sake of their common benefit and development in each country.

Rifat Hisarciklioglu, who is leading a Turkish business delegation to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam, proposed the Vietnamese government create more favourable conditions for Turkish companies, especially in the areas of textiles and garments and in building materials production.

The Turkish official also suggested that the two nations increase the exchange of information to help their businesses seize cooperation, trade and investment opportunities in each other’s markets, and open a direct air route between Vietnam and Turkey./.