Two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and the United Kingdom reached 4.3 billion USD in 2013, 7.5 percent higher than the set target.

The figure was announced at the Vietnam-UK Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO)’s seventh session in Hanoi on January 7.

At the session, Vietnam pledged to strengthen bilateral ties with the UK at all areas mentioned in the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in 2010 and within JETCO framework.

Meanwhile, the UK side said they are willing to share experience with Vietnam in developing a civil nuclear programme as well as urban planning in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

They also voiced their support to Vietnam’s negotiation for a free trade agreement with the European Union.

The UK Minister without Portfolio Grant Shapps and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Ho Tuan Anh also signed a memorandum of understanding on the preparations for the 2019 Asian Games to be held in Vietnam on the same day.-VNA