Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has affirmed that Vietnamalways opens doors for Israeli businesses and supports them to access its 90-millionstrong market, over-600-million ASEAN market, and other countries that haveestablished trade ties with Vietnam.

Addressinga Vietnam-Israel business forum in Hanoi on March 21, the Deputy PM highlyvalued the special attention that the Israeli Government has paid to thepromotion of economic, trade and investment partnership with Vietnam.

Henoted that although two-way trade spiraled from 200 million USD in 2010 to over1.2 billion USD in 2016, the figure has yet to meet expectations.

Hesuggested that the two sides should foster cooperation in areas of Vietnam’sneeds, including farming, breeding, renewable energy, smart power grid, waterresource management, e-commerce, cyber security and human resource training.

Healso expressed hope that Vietnamese firms will learn from their Israeli peers’experience, especially in how to develop the world’s leading startup countrywith modest natural resources.

He declared that the Vietnamese Government commits to working together with theIsrael Government in building optimal legal frameworks serving partnershipsbetween the two sides’ business communities.

Huesaid he hopes that negotiations for a Vietnam-Israel free trade agreement willbe completed in 2018 when the countries celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Meanwhile, visiting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin highlighted thesignificance of bilateral ties with Vietnam in his country’s internationalintegration.

Hestated that Israel is interested in affiliating with Vietnam in various fields,including trade, knowledge-based development, water treatment, irrigation, dairyindustry, medical equipment, education, agriculture, fertilizer production, andcyber security.

Accordingto Jonathan Hadar from Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry, Israel is becominga large research and development centre hosting more than 250 multinationalgroups and firms.

ShragaBrosh, President of the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel, predicted that thetwo countries will enjoy closer collaboration in hi-tech agriculture,technology transfer, water treatment, mobile network and medical equipmentbased on the win-win basis.

The same day, a conference themed “Israel – Supplier of high technology for Vietnam’sagriculture development,” was held, with Israeli firms introducing their advancedtechnology in watering and green house installation.

The events were jointly held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industryand the Israeli Embassy in Vietnam during President Reuven Rivlin’s State visitto Vietnam from March 19-25.-VNA