Enterprises from the two nations had yet to learn about one another’s potentials, said Deputy Minister of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade N Nadgimov.

In March, a large delegation of Vietnamese firms visited Uzbekistan to study co-operation opportunities, and the Uzbekistan government pledged to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms to establish joint ventures in the country.

Tax incentives would be given to the establishment of joint ventures in such sectors as textiles and garments, crude oil, footwear, machine manufacturing, beverage and canned fruit production, construction materials, and chemicals and pharmaceuticals, the deputy minister said.

Viet Nam had always attached importance to cementing comprehensive ties with Uzbekistan, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Danh Vinh.

The two countries have signed several agreements pledging to promote co-operation in the fields of economy and trade, investment, science and technology, and tourism.

Viet Nam could supply Uzbekistan with clothing, footwear, agricultural products such as tea, coffee, pepper and rice, fine arts and handicrafts, while Uzbekistan had plentiful cotton, chemicals, machines and equipment.

Deputy Minister Vinh described yesterday’s event as a valuable chance for enterprises from the two countries to explore co-operation opportunities in trade and investment.

Two-way trade between the two nations was US$6.6 million last year. — VNS