Hanoi (VNA) - Businesses of Vietnam and Greece were encouraged to promotecooperation in the trade of their products of advantage, especially in maritimetransport, logistics, shipbuilding, sea port development, tourism andagricultural product processing, at a Vietnam-Greece Business Forum held inHanoi on December 10.

Heldby the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) the occasion of theongoing working visit to Vietnam by DeputyForeign Minister of Greece Terens Nikolaos Quick, the event attractedthe participation of representatives from 16 firms of Greece operating in foodindustry, olive oil production, textile and garment, real estate, energy, andelectricity.

Duringthe event, the two sides highlightedthe fine development of the bilateral cooperation between the twocountries in recent years, and the potential for them to expand bonds in thetime to come.

According to Vice Chairman of the VCCI Doan Duy Khuong, Vietnam - Greece tradeturnover increased from 196 million USD in 2015 to 335 million USD in 2017.

Heunderlined the need to promote economic and trade ties between the two nations,saying that Vietnam is now one of the most attractive consumption markets inthe world.

Vietnamis considered a dynamically developing economy in Southeast Asia, becoming anattractive destination for foreign investors, he said, adding that the country hasa strong export potential for farm produce, textiles, leather products and footwear.

It has been active and recorded remarkable achievements in reforming theeconomy, improving the business and investment environment, perfecting the legaland institutional system, and simplifying the administrative procedures, Khuongstressed.

The country has also cooperated extensively with key partners, ratifying 10bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) with regional and internationalpartners, he highlighted, adding that about 60 economies have negotiated andare negotiating FTAs with Vietnam, including key trading partners that holdabout 90 percent of Vietnam's trade turnover.

He called for support from governments of both sides and more efforts from theirbusinesses to further boost bilateral trade ties.

For his part, Terens Nikolaos Quick affirmedthat the fine traditional friendship between his country and Vietnam over thelast 43 years is a solid foundation for the two sides to strengthen multi-facetedcooperation in the coming time.

Vietnam and Greece have cooperated in the shipping industry and they arecurrently in the process of negotiating the signing of a cooperation agreement inthis field.

It can be said that this is a most promising cooperation field for the twosides, he said, adding that if implemented, it will become a big impetus to boosteconomic relations between the two countries.

The ratification of the European Union - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)in the near future will also contribute to creating a legal corridor andopportunities to promote trade ties between the two countries,he said.-VNA