The Economy Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri has called on both UAE and Vietnamese businesses to seize the opportunities offered by the great potential in economic and trade ties between the two countries.

He made the call during the business executive forum in the UAE on December 16, with over 150 leading UAE firms and hundreds of Vietnamese partners taking part.

Al Mansouri underscored the positive progress of bilateral economic and trade ties over the past three years, with the UAE becoming one of the top trade partners of Vietnam, partly thanks to the launch of a direct flight service.

The minister acknowledged the improvement of legal foundation for investment in Vietnam, including the issuance of a new investment law. He suggested enhancing bilateral partnership in the priority fields of farming, food security and processing, oil and gas and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

In his keynote speech, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made it clear that Vietnam is working on three strategic breakthroughs, including perfecting market economy institutions, modernising infrastructure and developing a contingent of hi-quality workforce.

He noted that two-way trade between the two sides soared nearly 25 percent to 5.4 billion USD this year. Travelling has been made easier with 14 direct flights per week linking Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City.

The Vietnamese government wants to hear specific suggestions made by UAE companies on how to strengthen bilateral ties and launch joint projects, Phuc said.

Participants shared their views on prospects of trade and investment cooperation, especially in fields of each country’s strength.

At the forum, Phuc witnessed the signing of an agreement on flights between the two countries or crossing their territories between Transport Minister Dinh La Thang and the UAE Minister of Economy, and an agreement on establishing Vietnam exclusive trade representative offices in UAE, the Middle East and Northern Africa between UAE’s Vault investment fund and Vietnam’s Agarvina company.

Also on December 16, Phuc had meetings with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Economy Al Mansouri, Minister of Finance Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, and Central Bank Governor Sultan Bin Nasser Al-Suwaidi, during which they reached consensus on specific measures to boost bilateral ties.

On the occasion, Minister of Economy Al Mansouri handed over the UAE’s diplomatic note recognising Vietnam as a full market economy to the Vietnamese Deputy PM.

Phuc also took time to meet representatives from Nakheel real estate group and Chairman of ACWA Power.

The same day, the Deputy Prime Minister concluded his visit to Qatar and the UAE.-VNA