(VOVworld) – President Tran Dai Quang has reiterated that Vietnam treasures relations with New Zealand, adding that Vietnam has efficiently used the country’s official development assistance (ODA) for socio-economic development and human resource improvement.

President Tran Dai Quang (R) and New Zealand Foreign Minister Muray McCulley. (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA)

President Quang made the statement at Tuesday’s reception in Hanoi for visiting New Zealand Foreign Minister Muray McCully.

He called on New Zealand to continue providing capital and join economic development in Vietnam via trade and investment, adding that he hopes bilateral trade will exceed the goal of 1.7 billion USD by 2020. He said Vietnam is ready to roll out the red carpet for New Zealand businesses to make stronger investment in infrastructure, education-training, agriculture, and renewable energy.

Minister McCully said that New Zealand will facilitate Vietnam to export fruit to the market and offer technical support for Vietnam’s agriculture.He said New Zealand will continue to provide scholarships for Vietnamese students and hopes relations between the two countries will turn into a strategic partnership in the near future.