Representatives of the Vietnamese-based Hòa Bình Construction Group and Russian Segezha Group signs their memorandum of understanding in Vladivostok on September 4, on the sidelines of the business dialogue session between Russia and ASEAN. — VNA/VNS Duy Trinh

VLADIVOSTOK — A business dialogue session between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took place in Vladivostok on Wednesday as part of the ongoing 9th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF 2024).

At the opening of the event, Daniyar Akkaziev, CEO of the Russia-ASEAN Business Council, affirmed that Russia values its cooperation with ASEAN, considering the region's rapid and diverse development potential in the Asia-Pacific.

With the sides signing a strategic partnership agreement in 2016 and Russia joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 2004, he noted the moves are prerequisites for Russia to strengthen its dialogue with bloc member countries.

Sergei Katyrin, President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reported that bilateral trade between Russia and ASEAN is on the rise, and expressed his optimism about strengthening their relations, particularly in the context of the digital era.

Myanmar Minister of Hotels and Tourism Thet Thet Khine suggested that to advance their relationship, both sides need to harmonise their systems, simplify import-export procedures, and promote exchanges in information technology and culture for better mutual understanding.

German Maslov, Vice President of the logistics division at the FESCO Transportation Group – a major Russian shipping company shared that two years ago, FESCO launched a maritime route between Việt Nam and Vladivostok, positioning the country as a transit hub for ASEAN. With demand growing significantly, three ships are now operating on the route.

Lê Viết Hải, Founder and Chairman of the Vietnamese-based Hoà Bình Construction Group, added that promoting and maintaining peace is essential for sustainable development and cooperation.

Hải told Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Russia that through negotiations with partners, he found that the Russian market currently has substantial demand for construction services, labour, and materials, with which his company seeks collaboration.

On Wednesday, he met with multiple businesses and local government representatives in Russia and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation, Segezha Group, and Roscongress Foundation. — VNS