Beijing (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to China DangMinh Khoi made a working trip to Hebei province on March 28-29 to promoteeconomic, trade, investment, and tourism partnerships between Vietnameselocalities and Hebei.

Meeting with Hebei Deputy Governor WangXiaodong, Khoi said Vietnam and China have made progress in their relationswith practical outcomes in terms of economy-trade, culture, education andpeople-to-people exchange.

He valued Vietnam’s economic, trade andinvestment ties with Hebei, adding that cooperation potential is enormous.

The ambassador asked provincial leaders tostrengthen Hebei’s collaboration with Vietnam in infrastructure building, transportconnectivity, and high-quality agriculture. He affirmed that the VietnameseEmbassy in China is ready to act as a bridge linking Hebei with the Vietnameseside.

Introducing his province’s socio-economicdevelopment, Deputy Governor Wang said Hebei wants to intensify partnershipswith Vietnamese localities, thereby opening up opportunities for both sides toboost links in production and agriculture and set up the foundation forcooperation in more spheres.

The Vietnamese Embassy and Hebei authoritiesalso took this chance to hold an event on economic, trade and investmentpromotion with the participation of 40 Vietnamese and Chinese businesses.

Ambassador Khoi said Vietnam’s central and localgovernments pledge to create a favourable and equal business environment forforeign firms, including those from China and Hebei. He welcomes Hebeienterprises’ investment in the fields they have advantages of, especiallyhi-tech and environmentally friendly projects.

Meanwhile, a representative of Hebei’s departmentof commerce stressed Vietnam is one of the most important ASEAN economic-tradepartners of the province, hoping that stronger economic, trade and investmentlinks will benefit both sides.

Trade turnover between Hebei and Vietnam was6.83 billion USD in 2016. Hebei’s exports to the Southeast Asian nation includecars and components, steel, and electronic devices. Vietnam mainly exportscotton fibre, natural rubber, and timber to this province.

At the end of 2016, there were 13 Hebeibusinesses investing in Vietnam with total registered capital of 150 millionUSD, mostly in automobile, textile-garment, plastics and food industries.

Vietnam is now the sixth largest importer and the biggest ASEAN trade andinvestment partner of Hebei.-VNA