The Vietnam-Israel Business Forum took place in Hanoi on Nov. 24 inthe presence of Israeli President Shimon Peres and Vietnamese DeputyPrime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.
In his speech,Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai affirmed that the VietnameseGovernment always encourages and creates conditions for Israelibusinesses to operate in Vietnam .
Vietnam isimpressed by Israel ’s business administration capacity and technology,Deputy PM Hai said, adding that Vietnam and Israel havecooperative potential in these fields.
President ShimonPeres said Vietnam , a large population country, and Israel cancooperate in many sectors, including agriculture and technology.
ThePresident also shared Israel ’s experiences in agriculture and hightechnology, hoping for cooperation with Vietnam to createdevelopmental opportunities for the two countries.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) between Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and theFederation of Israeli Economic Organisations, and a cooperativeagreement between VCCI and the Federation of Israel Chamber of Commerce.
Two-way trade between Vietnam and Israelexceeded 220 million USD in 2010, representing a 34 percent increaseover 2008.
Vietnam exports footwear, clothes andagricultural products to Israel and imports hi-tech equipment,chemicals and fertiliser.
Israel has providedan additional credit of 100 million USD for Vietnam this year and isranked 54 th out of 93 countries and territories investing in theSoutheast Asian country, with nine projects totalling nearly 33.8million USD.
Israeli companies are investing in projectsin Hanoi, Khanh Hoa province and Ho Chi Minh City, with jointagricultural projects using Israeli technology in Hanoi, Hai Phong city,Nghe An province, Da Lat city (Lam Dong province) and Ho Chi Minh Cityshowing good results./.