Trade ties between Vietnam and Portugal have recorded rapid growth, but they are yet to match the potential of the two countries, Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Uong Chu Luu has said.

Speaking to Porto mayor Rui Moreira in the city on June 27, Luu stressed that the two countries have many similarities, including the fact that both are coastal countries with long coastlines, and expressed his joy at the fine development in the Vietnam-Portugal relations.

He also proposed that Portuguese companies invest in Vietnam in the fields of oil and gas, and shipbuilding.

Informing his guest of the ongoing tension in the East Sea and Vietnam’s stance in safeguarding its sovereignty, Luu expressed his hope for further support from other countries, including Portugal and other members of the European Union.

For his part, Mayor Moreira said Portuguese people know about Vietnam through their visits to and imports from the country, and affirmed that imports from Vietnam is fast increasing although the European country is struggling to weather the global economic crisis.

The Portuguese government hopes to further increase exports to Vietnam for the goal of turning the country into Portugal’s reliable trade partner in the time to come, he stressed.-VNA