As an official member of the European Union (EU), the Czech Republic will always support Vietnam in all agreements under negotiations with the EU.

 

Czech Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Milan Horvoka made the remark at the Vietnam-Czech Republic Business Forum in Hanoi on September 27.

 

Over the years, trade turnover between the two countries has seen a steady growth, from US$100 million in 2005 to US$294 million in 2008, and it is expected to reach US$300 million soon.

 

Considering Vietnam as a traditional market with many advantages, Czech enterprises have so far invested about US$35 million in the production of glass, crystal, electrical appliances and construction materials.

 

The Czech Republic has donated about US$18 million in official development assistance (ODA) to the Southeast Asian country.

 

However, Horvoka expressed his wish that both governments and business circles of the two countries would coordinate efforts to further boost bilateral trade cooperation to meet their potential.

 

Another delegate to the forum, Czech Deputy Defence Minister Jan Fulik proposed that boosting cooperation, trade exchange and training in national defence between the two countries should be considered as a priority.

 

Within the framework of the forum, PSJ of the Czech Republic signed a contract on building a shipyard in the northern province of Hai Phong with Nosco-Vinalines of Vietnam.

 

PSJ also signed a memorandum of understanding on a plant to repair ships in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province with Vinalines Shipyard of Vietnam .

 

The second meeting of the Vietnam-Czech Republic Inter-governmental Commission on Trade and Scientific Cooperation will run until September 29.

 

VNA/VOVNews