Statistics showed that two-way trade neared 810 million USDlast year, down about 10 percent from 2017. The figure topped 700 million USDin the first 11 months of this year, including 64 million USD worth ofVietnam’s imports such as pharmaceuticals, seafood, textile materials, leatherand footwear, and 647 million USD worth of Vietnamese exports like cement,apparel and footwear.
Uddin said Bangladesh was the first nation in South Asia toestablish diplomatic ties with Vietnam over four decades ago.
Bangladesh considers Vietnam an important trade partner, hesaid, adding that the Bangladeshi government advocates expanding economic,trade and investment ties with Vietnam.
Both sides agreed to maintain the joint trade sub-committeemechanism, discussed ways to connect the two economies in fields of strengthamid new protectionism in the world, especially in powerful countries.
They pledged to enhance trade in rice, jute, machinery andcooperation in information and communications, agriculture and tourism.
The officials also pledged to create favourable conditionsfor the two countries’ enterprises to collaborate and exchange goods./.