Norway wants to seek all-around cooperation with Vietnamese firms in seatransport as Vietnam is among the ASEAN countries that are strong inthis realm.

It was voiced by Harald Neavdal, head ofInnovation Norway’s maritime and oil and gas sector, at an internationalworkshop in Ho Chi Minh City on March 18.

Director ofNorwegian Maritime Export Company Terje Lillenes said Vietnam and Norwayshare similarities in coastal area and length. Norway ranks fifth inthe world in terms of vessel fleets with over 3,000 active firms,earning over 80 billion USD each year.

The Norwegian companieslook forward to working with Vietnamese partners in shipbuilding, designand production of navigation equipment, among others, he said.

Norwegian experts shared the view that the equitisation of the VietnamNational Shipping Lines (Vinaline) in 2014-2015 will offer relevantNorwegian firms new chances as its seaports still generate profits.

Senior Advisor at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry andFisheries Kristine Pedersen said the Government of Norway is also eyeingcooperation with Vietnam in such fields as free trade and industrialproduction, towards lifting two-way trade to a new height.-VNA