The Vietnamese delegation headed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung have attended the 9th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the 9th China-ASEAN Business-Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning City, China’s Guangxi province, in a proactive manner with many active important contributions, said Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang.

Minister Hoang told the press when speaking about Vietnam’s contributions to CAEXPO and CABIS, as well as the significance and role of the two events in boosting economic, trade and investment between ASEAN and China.

PM Dung and the Vietnamese delegation arrived in Hanoi on September 21, successfully concluding their attendance at CAEXPO and CABIS. On the sidelines of the events, PM Dung had bilateral meetings with Chinese Vice State President Xi Jinping, Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong and Myanmar President Thein Sein. He also received Guangxi provincial leaders, among other activities.

According to Minister Hoang, Vietnam has made important contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and sharing consistent ideas in promoting investment and trade cooperation between ASEAN members and China, as well as boosting Vietnam’s relations with China and other ASEAN countries.

This is the ninth consecutive year Vietnam has participated in CAEXPO and CABIS. At CAEXPO, around 90 businesses from 18 provinces and cities of Vietnam showcased farm products, processed food, timber products and other consumption goods at 200 booths on an area of 500 sq.m. A number of investment projects that Vietnam wants to cooperate with China and other ASEAN member countries were also introduced at the event.

With the increasing scale and quality, Vietnam’s active participation has contributed to the success of CAEXPO and CABIS in consecutive years, particularly in 2012, he said.

Vietnam has also involved in activities within the framework of the two events and will continue making considerable contributions to activities relating to CAEXPO and CABIS, he affirmed.

Regarding the significance and role of the two events in boosting economic, trade and investment between ASEAN and China, Minister Hoang said the ASEAN-China economic, trade and investment relations has recorded active and impressive developments. Two-way trade rose from approximately 100 billion USD in 2001 to around 360 billion USD in 2011. At present, China is the largest importer and the third largest trade partner of ASEAN. By July 2012, both sides’ investment capital reached around 100 billion USD.

The organisation of CAEXPO and CABIS annually is one of the effective tools and serves as a forum for China and ASEAN investors and business people to meet, exchange and sign trade and investment contracts.

This is also a forum for both sides to discuss issues relating to trade and investment cooperation within Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific.

Within the framework of CAEXPO and CABIS, there will be more favourable conditions for both sides to meet their desire and goals in promoting economic, trade and investment relations, said the Vietnamese minister.

Source: VNA