A Sri Lanka - Vietnam trade centre was officially opened in Colombocapital, Sri Lanka, on August 6 to serve as a platform to intensifyinvestment, trade and tourism cooperation between the two countries.

AjithNivard Cabraal, Governor of the Centre Bank of Sri Lanka, said theestablishment of the centre meets the demand of the two countries’business circles.

He expressed his hope that it will strongly contribute to bilateral partnership in trade, investment and tourism.

VietnameseAmbassador to Sri Lanka Ton Sinh Thanh emphasised that the opening ofthe centre took place amid the rapid growth in bilateral relations.

Overthe past three years, two-way trade turnover has surged by 30% - thefastest pace Vietnam has recorded with a South Asian country.

Thefigure hit 109 million USD in the first half of 2014, equivalent to thewhole 2011 number. In particular, Sri Lanka’s exports to Vietnamreached 43 million USD, higher than the value made in 2013, he noted.

Thanhstressed that there is much room for trading activities between bothcountries once barriers like high taxes, fees and cumbersome proceduresare cleared.

The diplomat suggested both Governments soon mullover a bilateral preferential trade agreement and head towards thesigning of a free trade agreement.-VNA