Iranian President begins State VN visit

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani yesterday started his three-day State-level visit to Việt Nam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Trần Đại Quang. The visit aims to tighten co-operation between Iran and Việt Nam. During the trip, the two sides will compare notes on measures to boost bilateral collaboration in trade, investment, tourism and agriculture. They will also discuss regional and international issues of shared concern. The two countries have seen progress in relations since diplomatic ties were established on August  四,  一 九 七 三. Iran opened its embassy in Hà Nội in  一 九 九 一, and the Vietnamese Embassy was established in Tehran in  一 九 九 七. In September  二00 九, the Việt Nam–Iran Friendship Association was founded, aiming to enhance the two peoples’ friendship and mutual understanding, along enhancing co-operation in economy, trade, science-technology, education-training, and culture. With a population of over  八0 million, Iran is a major Middle Eastern market for Việt Nam, which in turn is a gateway to ASEAN markets for Iran. Việt Nam’s main exports to the Islamic Republic of Iran include aquatic products, rice, tea, coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, bamboo and rattan products, rubber and rubber products, plastic products, machinery, electronic components, and apparel. Iran mostly ships petrochemical products, metal, wheat, and apparel and footwear materials to Việt Nam. Despite considerable potential, the countries’ economic partnership remains modest. Bilateral trade reached US$ 一0 六. 七 million in  二0 一 五, including $ 七 七. 二 million of Vietnamese exports. The figure was $ 五 四 million in the first half of  二0 一 六, including $ 三 五. 三 million worth of shipments from Việt Nam. — VNS