Vietnam will do its utmost to promote cooperation with Cuba in a more intensive and effective manner, particularly regarding economy, trade and investment, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said.

Welcoming Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz in Hanoi on September 4, PM Dung stressed the vast potential for bilateral collaboration and said the signing of a mid-term cooperation programme will serve as a foundation for the two sides to promote their economic ties, particularly in trade and investment.

He suggested the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Governmental Committee accelerate the implementation of the programme.

The Vietnamese Government continuously supports cooperation projects between the two countries, especially those in telecommunications and agriculture, he said, adding that Vietnam will create favourable conditions for its businesses to invest in Cuba.

For his part, the Cuban minister said his country wishes to further strengthen and expand collaboration with Vietnam in all fields, particularly in agriculture, telecommunications, foreign direct investment, and the establishment of industrial and export processing zones.

He affirmed that Cuba will continue to perfect its special preferential policies and mechanisms for Vietnamese investors.

He said he hoped the two countries will increase trade flows and enable the effective exchange of goods on their respective markets.-VNA