Vietnam, Sri Lanka foster economic cooperation
Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Institute of Indian and Southwest Asian
Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) held a virtual
workshop entitled “50 years of Vietnam-Sri Lanka Diplomatic Ties: Achievements
and Prospects” on September 22.
VASS Vice President Professor Dang Nguyen Anh said that celebrations of
the 50th anniversary is a chance for both sides to look back at achievements
and strive for closer cooperation.
He suggested expanding trade and investment activities and setting
specific targets for two-way trade and the timeframe for achieving these targets,
while boosting the trade balance by increasing Sri Lanka’s imports from
Vietnam.
The two sides should encourage Sri Lankan businesses, including small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to invest in infrastructure, high
technology, and renewable technology in Vietnam, while focusing on
technological transfer and developing supporting industries to create opportunities
for their enterprises to participate in global production and supply chains, he
added.
Jayanath Colombage, Secretary of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, stressed that Sri Lanka and Vietnam should be a “guiding light” for each
other.
The time-honoured relationship will contribute to spotlighting the two
countries’ roles in the region as well as on the international arena.
Sri Lanka will act as a bridge for Vietnam’s cooperation with important
partners in the Indian Ocean, Colombage said, adding that bilateral relations
will help Sri Lanka connect with countries in Southeast Asia.
Delegates also discussed plans to boost trade and investment cooperation./.