Vietnamese and Cuban enterprises met and discussed co-operation opportunities at the Cuba-Việt Nam business forum held in the capital city of Havana, Cuba on Wednesday (local time). — VNA/VNS Photo Lê Hà

HAVANA — Cuba stands ready to support Vietnamese businesses and investors, President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce Orlando Hernandez has said.

He made the remark at a Cuba-Việt Nam business forum in Havana on Wednesday (local time) that attracted more than 100 representatives of both countries’ enterprises.

The official stressed that the two sides boast huge potential for enhancing economic and trade relations, especially in healthcare, biotechnology, agriculture, tourism and communications.

Cuba is facing difficulties, including in financial resources and payment in foreign currencies. Therefore, its government is working to improve the efficiency of the use of existing resources, promote exports and attract more foreign investment, he said.

For his part, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Nguyễn Trung Thành said he believes with the countries’ friendship, political resolve, agreements and support mechanisms being perfected, the current uptrend in the bilateral trade will be maintained to reach the target of US$500 million before 2022.

He also noted difficulties as well as success stories in bilateral economic ties, reiterating that the Vietnamese people always stand by the side of the Cuban people and consider each success of the Caribbean nation as their own.

At the forum, Vice Chairman of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Võ Tân Thành presented economic policies of Việt Nam and some of the country’s achievements over 30 years of reforms.

Following the event, Vietnamese and Cuban businesses met to discuss co-operation in oil and gas, legal services, printing and packaging, environmental services, construction and real estate, agriculture and food processing, fertiliser and pharmaceutical products. — VNS