Turkmenistan and Vietnam expand economic cooperation agenda
This week Ambassador of Vietnam to Turkmenistan, residing in Moscow, Ngo Duc Manh presented credentials to the Chairperson of Turkmen parliament Gulshat Mammadova. He met also with deputy foreign minister of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiev. Among the key topics of both meetings were the preparation for the upcoming visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Vietnam and intensification of trade and economic cooperation. According to Ambassador Manh, both countries have a high potential for cooperation in many areas, ranging from the fuel and energy sector to the humanitarian sphere. “Turkmenistan is rich in natural gas, while Vietnam is strong in industrial products and consumer goods”, said high-ranking diplomat in an interview with the official news agency VNA. The negotiations noted that strong positions in the field of cotton growing turn Turkmenistan into a potential supplier of raw materials for Vietnamese garment and textile enterprises. In turn, this South-Eastern country can meet the demand of Turkmen consumers for such goods as tea, coffee and fish products. Ambassador said that in the near future Vientam will hold a number of events to promote bilateral partnership, focused on establishing contacts between business circles of both sides and stimulating investment participation of Vietnamese companies in the economy of Turkmenistan. For its part, the Vietnamese embassy plans to work on expanding exchanges of delegations at the level of ministries and departments. In addition, Manh expressed hope that the signing of agreements on visa exemption for diplomatic passports holders and simplifying travel regulations between the two countries will create favorable conditions for the enhancing humanitarian and business ties, in particular in the field of culture, tourism and sports. During his visit to Ashgabat, Ambassador took part in a round table on bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation, as well as visited a number of textile, carpet and confectionery companies. Vietnam and Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations in July 1992. Earlier this month, Hanoi hosted the first political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
