Vietnam will always remember and respect the valuable help and support from Algeria during wartime, stated Vietnam’s Ambassador to Algeria, Do Trong Cuong.

When talking to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent on the occasion of the 50 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (October 28), Cuong stressed that the Vietnamese-Algerian relationship has developed well over the years, but has yet to match the full potential and aspirations of both countries.

Cooperation between Vietnam and Algeria has increased, especially in politics after visits by senior leaders from both countries. A number of documents and agreements have also been signed, creating a legal framework for multi-faceted cooperation.

The establishment of the Vietnam-Algeria, Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Associations and the Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group has also promoted exchanges between the two peoples, he added.

The Vietnamese diplomat said that in recent years, bilateral trade has risen remarkably, with Vietnamese exports to the North African country increasing from 6.4 million USD in 2000 to 153 million USD in 2011 and is expected to hit nearly 200 million USD in 2012.

Along with its traditional exports such as rice, coffee, pepper, frozen shrimp and fish Vietnam ships several manufactured products to Algeria , including garments and textiles, footwear and electronic parts.

The Vietnam-Algeria petrol and gas joint venture, Vietnam ’s first overseas one, is scheduled to come into operation by 2014.

Both countries have also established bilateral ties in the fields of culture and sport. They worked together to produce the film ‘Bong sen’ (Lotus) in 1999. Currently, three traditional Vietnamese martial arts associations have almost 15,000 Algerian members.

According to Ambassador Cuong, Algeria is a huge potential market for exports, investment and labour cooperation and Vietnamese businesses need to promote their presence and products at fairs and seminars around the country to seize every opportunity that this market offers.-VNA