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The Government chief asked Mr. Enrico Letta to continue making more practical contributions to the development of the bilateral ties, especially in the fields like trade, economy, investment, education-training as well as coordination at international forums for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The host leader took the occasion to call for Italy’s support for signing the Viet Nam-EU free trade agreement soon.
For his part, former PM Enrico Letta pledged continued efforts in fostering the two countries’ relations and shared Viet Nam’s view and position on regional security.
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Earlier the same day, Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh also met with the former Italian PM.
Viet Nam and Italy established strategic partnership on January 21, 2013 during Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Rome.
The two sides signed an action plan to realize the strategic partnership for 2013-2014 during Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai visit to the European country in September 2013.
Two-way trade has rose considerably over the years, standing US$2.8 billion in 2012 and US$3.5 billion in 2013. Major Vietnamese exports include footwear, seafood, coffee and garments, and its imports are machinery, mechanical equipment, means of transport, and leather accessories.
The Italian government has included Viet Nam in the top ten emerging economies for prioritized trade and investment development.
Statistics show that as of 2013 Italy ranked 29th among 100 foreign investors in Viet Nam, with 53 licensed projects worth US$294 million. Its major investment areas are the processing and manufacturing industry, shoe and leather footwear, construction, sanitary wares, and steel making.
By Hai Minh
