Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (R) recevies Italian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Ivan Scalfarotto in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and Italy should promote investment and cooperation in tourism and aviation, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said at a meeting with Italian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Ivan Scalfarotto in Hà Nội yesterday.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister welcomed Deputy Minister Scalfarotto to join the fourth meeting of the mixed commission for economic cooperation between Việt Nam and Italy, and a delegation of 60 Italian enterprises to visit Việt Nam.

Phúc proposed the two countries promote economic and trade cooperation relations on this visit, contributing to increasing bilateral trade value and investment in the future.

Italy should enhance investment in Việt Nam and the two countries need to boost cooperation in tourism, to open direct flights between the two countries and enhance exchanges in areas of green technology, transport, infrastructure and machine manufacturing, he said.

The Prime Minister said the two countries should promote cooperation in implementing the 2017-18 action plan of the Strategic Partnership, continue strategic dialogues in the fields of diplomacy and defense, and organise activities celebrating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Italy.

He said as an important member of the European Union (EU), he expected that Italy would urge the EU to sign and ratify the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) soon.

Phúc asked the Deputy Minister to encourage and support Italian businesses investing in Việt Nam, especially in areas of strength and demand. They include mechanical manufacturing, textiles and garments, footwear and transport.

The Vietnamese Government would create favourable conditions for Italian businesses to invest successfully in Việt Nam, he said.

During the meeting, Scalfarotto said there were 130 representatives of 60 leading companies from Italy coming to Việt Nam to seek opportunities for cooperation and investment. He also expected that when the EVFTA is signed, it would help promote economic, trade and investment relations between the EU and Việt Nam, as well as between Italy and Việt Nam.

The deputy minister agreed that the two countries need to develop further bilateral cooperation in many fields based on the great potential of each country.

During this visit, Scalfarotto said the delegation would visit HCM City to open a textile and garment technology transfer centre, contributing to the promotion of cooperation between the two countries. — VNS