Havana (VNA) - The 41st session of the Vietnam-Cuba IntergovernmentalCommittee opened in Havana on April 11, seeking ways to expand and diversifybilateral economic relations in commensurate with the traditional politicalrelationship between the two Parties, States, and peoples.

Speaking at the opening ceremony,Vietnamese Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi, who is co-chair of thecommittee, said that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people always remember thespecial affection, strong support and help from the Cuban Party, State, and people to the Southeast Asian country’s past struggle for liberation as well as itscurrent nation building and development.

In response to this, in recent years,Vietnam has always paid attention to supporting and promoting cooperation withCuba in all fields, from politics and diplomacy, to trade, investment, and agriculture,and sharing experiences in State management in the fields of finance, banking,foreign investment attraction, information and communications, construction, andjustice.

Nghi proposed finding specific solutions toremove difficulties for Vietnamese businesses to maintain production and ensurebusiness and investment efficiency, and create more motivation and confidenceto attract new investors to Cuba.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister andMinister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, who is alsoco-chair of the committee, highlighted the importance of economic, financial, andtrade cooperation, as Vietnam is currently one of Cuba's main Asian investors andalso an important rice supplier.

The two sides agreed to strengthenbilateral collaboration in tourism, energy, biotechnology, and agricultural andfood production, while continuing to promote business agreements for domesticand export markets.

The session will last to April 15./.