Hanoi (VNA) – Acting President of Mauritius KheshoeParsad Matadeen received Vietnamese Ambassador Le Huy Hoang in the country’scapital Port Louis on March 6, voicing his hope for more substantive strides inthe two countries’ cooperation.

At the reception following the diplomat’spresentation of his credentials, the Acting President said Mauritius treasuresand wishes to promote its friendship with Vietnam.

Noting Vietnam’s economic reforms andinternational integration achievements, he expressed his hope that bilateralcooperation will enjoy new developments, especially in economy, trade,investment, telecommunications, tourism, justice and agriculture.

He wished the ambassador a successful term so asto remain a bridge contributing to the two countries’ relations.

Hoang, also Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique,conveyed congratulations from Party General Secretary and President of VietnamNguyen Phu Trong and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minhto leaders of Mauritius on their country’s 51st National Day (March 12).

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance tofriendship with Mauritius.

The diplomat said he hopes to receivecoordination from relevant ministries and sectors of Mauritius to help withrelations in various fields.

He called for continued mutual support atmultilateral forums like the United Nations, the International Organisation ofLa Francophonie and the Non-Aligned Movement. Hoang also asked Mauritius tosupport Vietnam to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for2020-2021.

On this occasion, Ambassador Hoang met withleaders of the government, the National Assembly, the Ministry of ForeignAffairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, the Ministry ofTechnology, Communication and Innovation, the Ministry of Tourism, and theEconomic Development Board, along with representatives of Mauritian businesscircle.

Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth saidthe two countries should step up partnerships in economy, trade, and tourism,including signing a double taxation avoidance agreement and an investmentpromotion and protection deal.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National AssemblySanti Bai Hanoomanjee lauded the Vietnamese National Assembly’s activities,asking the countries’ parliamentarians to share experience  and help strengthen bilateral parliamentarylinks.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, RegionalIntegration and International Trade Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo also voiced hishope for further mutual support at multilateral and regional forums, affirmingthat his country supports Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on theUN Security Council for 2020-2021.

While Minister of Technology, Communication andInnovation Yogida Sawmynaden asked Vietnam to boost investment in telecomtechnology in Mauritius like it has done successfully in other African nations,Deputy Minister of Tourism Devi Chand Anandi Rye Seewooruthun showed interestin Vietnam’s tourism development and hoped for stronger collaboration in thisarea.

At another meeting, CEO of the EconomicDevelopment Board Francois Guibert pledged to help Vietnamese goods andservices enter the Mauritian market. He also called for the two businesscircles to keep working together to make use of strengths of Vietnam – a fastgrowing economy and a big market in Southeast Asia, and Mauritius – arelatively developed economy in Africa, especially in terms of high technology,financial services and tourism.

At the events, Ambassador Hoang informed hishosts about Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements. He expressed his hope thatMauritian ministries, sectors and agencies would continue facilitatingbusinesses’ access to the Vietnamese market and creating conditions forVietnamese goods and labourers to enter their country.

Vietnam and Mauritius set up diplomatic ties in1994. Bilateral trade hit 95.7 million USD in 2017. With 49 direct investedprojects worth 338 million USD, Mauritius ranked third among Middle Eastern andAfrican countries investing in Vietnam as of May 2018.-VNA