Algiers (VNA) – Algerian Prime Minister Admed Ouyahia onNovember 28 met with Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha who is leading adelegation to Algeria for the 11th meeting of the Vietnam-AlgeriaInter-Governmental Committee from November 27-29.

Lauding Algeria’s role in maintaining stability, peace and security in NorthAfrica and the world, Ha stated that Vietnam treasures its friendship withAlgeria and hopes to forge bilateral ties in all fields, especially trade.

He thanked Algeria for supporting Vietnam over the years, affirming thatVietnam attaches importance to the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committeein implementing joint commitments and signed deals.

Ha also briefed his host on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation and theoutcomes of his working sessions with Algerian officials.

He said that the two sides agreed to review shared commitments andagreements to evaluate the results and seek solutions for difficulties and newcooperation plans to hit the target of 1 billion USD in two-way trade by 2020.

The ministers also decided to form joint working groups to review legalfoundations and design measures to remove difficulties facing businesses.

Minister Ha said that Vietnam is determined to pay its debts to Algeria.

He asked for the Algerian PM’s close direction for the Vietnam-AlgeriaInter-Governmental Committee to improve its effectiveness.

Ha conveyed PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s invitation to visit Vietnam to theAlgerian PM, who accepted.

For his part, PM Ouyahia noted that Vietnam and Algeria have shared closeties for decades. However, he held that bilateral cooperation has yet to matchpotential, stressing the need for both sides to remove obstacle to bolstertrade.

He called for more favourable conditions for Algerian firms to enter theVietnamese markets, as well as Vietnam to share its experience in internationalintegration.

Both countries should strengthen investment ties not only in oil and gasbut also in other fields such as agriculture, tourism and seafood, he noted.

Earlier the same day, the 11th meeting of the Vietnam-AlgeriaInter-Governmental Committee concluded after two working days, with newcooperation contents agreed.

The two sides agreed to bolster collaboration in industry, agriculture,housing, tourism and aquaculture through strengthening bilateral trade andsharing experience and information.

A Vietnam-Algeria Business Council will be established to improve theeffectiveness of bilateral trade.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Algerian Minister of Industry and MinesYoucef Yousfi said that two-way trade remained limited at only 270 million USDin 2016, stressing that the two sides should support businesses of each countryand seek measures to balance trade.

Meanwhile, Minister Ha said that he hopes ministries, sectors andenterprises of both sides will strengthen exchange of information and ideas.

Both sides agreed to hold the 12th meeting of theVietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee in Hanoi in late 2019.-VNA