Boosting economic, trade and investmentcooperation with Saudi Arabia is a priority in Vietnam’s foreignpolicy for the region, said President Nguyen Minh Triet.

The State leader made the affirmation while receiving a delegation ofthe Council of Saudi Arabian Chambers of Commerce in Hanoi on May28.

President Triet expressed his belief that the visit will provide theSaudi Arabian business community with more useful information aboutVietnam’s potential in economic, trade and investment cooperation.

He affirmed that Vietnam highly rates Saudi Arabia’s position inthe region and the world.

President Triet asked the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry andthe Council of Saudi Arabian Chambers of Commerce to set up a jointcouncil to facilitate cooperation between their businesses, contributingto boosting relations between the two countries.

The Saudi Arabian business delegation said President Triet’s visit toSaudi Arabia last April was an important landmark in bilateral ties,adding their trip to Vietnam was prompted by the Vietnamesepresident’s speech at the Vietnam-Saudi Arabia business forum.

The guests briefed President Triet about their working sessions withrelevant ministries of Vietnam and stressed opportunities forcooperation in agriculture, tourism, oil and gas and labour.

They praised Vietnamese labourers working in Saudi Arabia for theirsense of responsibility and expressed wish that the two countries wouldexpand labour export. At present, there are about 15,000-20,000Vietnamese labourers working Saudi Arabia, while the countryreceives between 70,000-80,000 foreign workers a month.

The Saudi Arabian businessmen said there are still obstacles toeconomic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries,citing a lack of direct air route between the two countries. Visa toVietnam is also a hurdle for Saudi Arabian businesspeople andtourists.

They also asked Vietnam to provide its labourers with knowledge onthe culture and customs of the host country./.