Algiers (VNA) – A trade promotion programme was held inSenegal by the Trade Office of the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria and Senegal fromDecember 2-8 to boost trade relations between the two nations.

The event saw the participation of many Vietnamese enterprisesspecialising in producing agricultural products.

In the framework of the event, representatives from the Trade Office had meetingsand working sessions with those from the Senegalese Ministry of Commerce and theMinistry of Industry, as well as its Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to promotenegotiations for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) onindustrial and trade cooperation between the two countries.

A workshop to introduce the potentials of Vietnam-Senegal trade bonding wasorganised on December 4, attracting over 250 enterprises from the West Africancountry.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Commercial Counsellor Hoang Duc Nhuan updatedparticipants on Vietnam’s economic development and proposed ways to enhance bilateraleconomic and trade links.

Senegalese Deputy Minister of Trade Makhtar Lah said his country is workinghard to promote reform and open its economy, improve the business andinvestment environment towards luring foreign investment, and realise its goal ofbecome an emerging economy by 2035.

According to Nhuan, trade between Vietnam and Senegal was 70.17 million USD in2017. Vietnam’s main exports to the country were rice, tea, coffee, peppercorn,vegetables, aquatic and industrial products, footwear and textiles.

Nhuan added that at the meeting, the two sides agreed on the need to swiftlysign the MoU on trade and industrial cooperation, as well as ink agreements on double taxation avoidance and investment encouragement andprotection to make it easyfor their enterprises to expand investment and business collaboration in eachother’s markets.

They also stressed the necessity to promote the roleof trade promotion and diplomatic agencies in supporting activities of theirbusinesses.

The Senegalese side called on Vietnamese firms to increase their investment inthe West African nation, especially in processing farm produce.

The Vietnamese side took the occasion to visit the International Fair of Dakar – Senegal’s biggest trade event which sees the participation of some 670domestic and foreign agencies and enterprises.

It also met representatives from Senegalese importers and learned about thecountry’s goods distribution systems.–VNA