Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi holds a working session with Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz in Hanoi on September 27. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)MinisterNghi noted that the implementation of the two countries’ trade agreement hasnot produced desired outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He stressed that Vietnam has been making efforts to ensure rice supply for Cubain accordance with reached agreement, to help Cuba ensure food security andsocial stability.
Regarding Vietnam’s investment in Cuba, the minister noted that two Vietnamesefirms – Viglacera and Thai Binh – have invested in five projects in Cuba, twoof which have been put into operation with good results.
Vietnam has also maintained cooperation with Cuba in agriculture and fisheriesto help Cuba step by step become self-sufficient in food. At present, the two sides are focusing effortsto carry out the 2019-2023 joint rice farming project in Cuba. The Vietnamesegovernment has also approved the idea on two new projects proposed by Cuba indeveloping aquaculture and maize cultivation in Cuba.
Noting Cuba’sstrength in health care and bio-technology, Minister Nghi said Vietnam has aneed for cooperation in those fields. He suggested that the two countries cancooperate not only in the import-export of vaccines and drugs but also in theresearch to develop and produce vaccine, biological products and medicineeither in Vietnam or Cuba for both domestic consumption and export.
Cooperation in other fields, such as construction, transport, communications,banking, finance, sports, culture, broadcasting and science-technology, is alsoimplemented in line with bilateral commitment, Nghi said, adding that the twosides have completed the draft plan of action to implement the bilateralmid-term economic agenda. He hoped that the draft can be approved for signingduring the upcoming visit to Vietnam by the Cuban Prime Minister.
The Cuban Minister sharedthe assessment of Minister Nghi on bilateral cooperation in the recent past. Heappreciated Vietnam’s efforts to ensure rice export to Cuba, saying that it isof great importance for Cuba.
He expressed a hope that the two countrieswill intensify cooperation particularly in health care, pharmaceuticals,vaccine and bio-technology.
He askedthe Vietnamese Construction Ministry to encourage Vietnamese firms to attend theinternational trade fair in Cuba in November this year, through which promotingtrade and investment ties./.
VNA
