Vietnam and Western Australia have great potential for strengthening bilateral cooperation in economics, trade and investment, Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi was told in his recent meetings with top officials of the Australian state.

Ambassador to Australia Luong Thanh Nghi (R) and Acting Governor of Western Australia Wayne Martin. Photo: Vietnam+

During his visit to Western Australia on August 5-6, Ambassador to Australia Luong Thanh Nghi met with Acting Governor Wayne Martin, Deputy Premier Kim Hames, the Mayor of Perth city, and representatives of local businesses.

Vietnam is the 16th largest trade partner of the state of Western Australia, with two-way trade last year hitting 906 million AUD (846.7 million USD), of which 634 million AUD (592.5 million USD) came from Vietnamese exporters.

The Australian state is willing to create all favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to make inroads in the market, especially investment in mining and petrochemical industries.

Ambassador Nghi said he hopes the state will support Vietnam’s participation at an agriculture fair in October 2015, the possible opening of an air route between Perth and Ho Chi Minh City by Vietnam Airlines and the establishment of its representative office in Vietnam.

Nghi also asked the state of Western Australia to give more support for Vietnamese community to integrate further into the host country.

Western Australia accounts for 30 percent of Australia’s total area and with a population of over 2.5 million. It is rich in natural resources, specifically iron ore, and oil and gas.

About 15,000 Vietnamese expatriates are living in the state, including 1,700 students pursuing higher education there.

Source: VNA