(VOVworld)- Cuba welcomes and will create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to seek opportunities in Cuba, the country’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz told Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at a meeting in Hanoi on November 18.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (L) receives Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz (Photo: VNA)

The minister said Cuba is implementing the open-door policy in various fields, including economics and foreign investment attraction, adding that considering the traditional friendship and comradeship, Cuba hopes Vietnamese businesses will become the first foreign investors in the island country.

He informed the host that a business forum in Ho Chi Minh City will be organized during his visit to introduce cooperation potentials and opportunities to Vietnamese partners.

For his part, PM Dung hailed the fruitful session of the Vietnam-Cuba inter-governmental committee, a significant annual event aiming to promote bilateral cooperation in economics, culture, education, and science-technology.

He congratulated Cuba on its comprehensive achievements in the cause of national construction and development, confirming Vietnam will continue to work alongside Cuba to deepen the bilateral relations across the board, particularly economics, trade and investment.

Vietnam will do its utmost to assist Cuba in implementing agriculture production development programmes such as growing rice and ensuring national food security, the PM affirmed, saying Vietnamese firms will be encouraged to expand investment in Cuba.

The Cuban minister said he hopes to receive more assistance and experience sharing from Vietnam in the field, adding that Cuba is willing to collaborate with Vietnam in the production of vaccine and new drugs.