Minister of Transport Nguyễn Văn Thắng greets the visiting President of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly Adama Bictogo during their meeting on Thursday in Hà Nội, — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — President of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly Adama Bictogo suggested that Việt Nam and Côte d’Ivoire should enhance their transport cooperation with specific, substantive activities, at his meeting with Transport Minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng in Hà Nội on Thursday.

Bictogo, who is on an official visit to Việt Nam, said the opening of direct flights will make it easier for traders of the two countries to seek and materialise cooperation opportunities.

He added that the two countries should step up collaboration in maritime transportation to optimise their potential in this field.

The leader said he held talks with National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ and met with President Võ Văn Thưởng on June 14, during which they agreed to facilitate payment and the expansion of the network of banking agents in support of the bilateral trade ties, covering the transport sector.

Currently, Việt Nam is a big importer of cashew nuts and yarn of Côte d’Ivoire, he said, stressing that Côte d’Ivoire wants to serve as a gateway for Vietnamese electronics and garments-textiles to enter West African nations.

For his part, Thắng hailed the Côte d’Ivoire top legislator’s visit as an important milestone in promoting cooperation between the two legislatures in particular and the two countries in general.

The minister noted that Côte d’Ivoire is now Việt Nam’s second biggest trade partner in Africa with two-way trade reaching US$1.04 billion last year, and lauded efforts by the two sides in accelerating negotiations for a bilateral agreement on cooperation in economy and trade.

The agreement will create a foundation for the bilateral economic and trade ties, and a premise for the development of shipping routes, as well as the launch of direct flights between the two countries in the future, he stressed.

Thắng said the transport cooperation should be enhanced on par with the potential of both countries, thus further facilitating the trade and investment ties.

The two sides agreed to speed up the negotiations and signing of a bilateral air transport agreement, towards the opening of direct flights in order to facilitate socio-economic development and people-to-people exchanges.

At the same time, they will soon hold negotiations on and sign a maritime transport agreement to strengthen cooperation in this field and reduce maritime transportation costs.

The two sides also consented to enhance information sharing, promote the presence and investment of Vietnamese businesses in Côte d'Ivoire, and vice versa. — VNS