Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung asked the new Norwegianambassador to Vietnam, Grete Lochen, to promote bilateral ties across economic,trade, and investment spheres during a reception in Hanoi on February 26.

Dung saidbilateral ties have been growing over the past few years with regular visits byleaders and bilateral exchanges on the sidelines of multilateral forums.

Two-waytrade hit 363 million USD last year. Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus withNorway with key products such as apparel, footwear, wood and wooden furniture,and cashew nuts; meanwhile importing aquatic products, machinery and equipment,and fertilisers. Norway now has 41 valid projects in Vietnam worth a total of166 million USD.

The DeputyPM urged the ambassador to encourage Norwegian firms to invest in fields ofVietnam’s demand and Norway’s strength, such as navigation, shipbuilding,aquaculture, renewable energy, and tourism.

He alsoasked for the acceleration of negotiations on a free trade agreement betweenVietnam and the European Fair Trade Association in the spirit of mutualinterest.

Lochen, forher part, vowed to do her best to reinforce bilateral ties.

With a longcoastline similar to Vietnam’s, Norway’s marine-based economy holds greatpotential, she said, adding that Norwegian firms pay special attention toaquaculture and seafood-derived by-product processing in Vietnam.

During thisyear’s first quarter, a delegation of major Norwegian enterprises plan to visitVietnam to realise set agreements. They are interested in renewable energy, andoil and gas exploration and processing, she said. –VNA