A seminar to increase Vietnam-Cuba cooperation in pharmaceuticals took place in Hanoi on March 27.

The event was organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Cuban Embassy and Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam .

Addressing the event, VCCI Vice President Doan Duy Khuong said over the past 50 years, Vietnam – Cuba trade and investment have not yet matched their potentials. Cuba ’s exports to Vietnam were still modest, reaching 6 million USD last year. Pharmaceutical products contributed to half of the total value.

Particularly, medicines to fight cancer, meningitis and hepatitis B were hailed by the Vietnamese health experts for their reasonable prices and effectiveness.

Cuba is now operating a project worth nearly 6 million USD in Vietnam , ranking 68 th out of 100 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian country. Meanwhile, Vietnam has two projects on oil and gas exploration and exploitation in the Latin American country, he said.

Khuong affirmed the VCCI’s commitment to work with the Cuban Embassy and relevant agencies in Vietnam to promote future trade and investment between the two countries.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Fredesman Turro Gonzlez stressed that the two countries are developing joint programmes on pharmaceutical production in Vietnam in the form of technology transfer.

The Ambassador said he believes health care is one of the most promising fields in the bilateral economic and trade ties in the coming time.-VNA