Deputy Prime Minister Lê Minh Khái had talks with Saudi Arabian Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel-Khateeb in Hà Nội on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Lê Minh Khái received visiting Saudi Arabian Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel-Khateeb in Hà Nội on Monday, affirming that Việt Nam attaches importance to the enhancement of the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Saudi Arabia, an important partner in the Middle East.

As the two countries will celebrate the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2024, Khái asked both sides to coordinate in holding various activities on that occasion, especially promoting tourism and cultural exchanges to help improve mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Applauding progress in bilateral cooperation, he expressed his hope that Việt Nam will expand connections with not only Saudi Arabia but also others in the Arab and Muslim communities.

Saudi Arabia is one of Việt Nam's leading economic partners in the Middle East, with bilateral trade surging 32.4 per cent year on year to US$2.7 billion in 2022, he said, noting that he hopes investment links between the two sides, including in green energy development, will grow more fruitfully.

The official called on Saudi Arabia to help Việt Nam develop the Halal industry and access the Halal goods and service markets in Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries through production investment, manpower training, and experience sharing.

He also suggested the Middle Eastern nation import more products of Việt Nam's strength, such as rice, tea, peppercorn, coffee, rubber, and apparel.

Talking about the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the host proposed Ahmed bin Aqeel-Khateeb, who is also SFD Chairman, keep supporting Việt Nam's cooperation with the fund so as to promote the continued provision of concessional loans for social security projects in the Southeast Asian country.

Since the Saudi Arabian minister also serves as head of the Executive Council of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Khái thanked the organisation for assisting Việt Nam with tourism planning and tourism product development. He asked his guest as the UNWTO leader to promote this organisation’s support for and coordination with Việt Nam to hold major UNWTO events here.

The Deputy PM also called on Saudi Arabia to help Việt Nam develop tourism infrastructure and the products that Arabian people have demand for to boost tourism connectivity between the two countries.

Congratulating Việt Nam on the coming National Day (September 2), Ahmed bin Aqeel-Khateeb highlighted the two countries’ cooperation results for the last over 20 years.

He said he hopes Việt Nam and Saudi Arabia will press on with partnerships in such fields as energy (petrochemistry and green energy), investment, manufacturing, culture, the Halal industry, tourism, and sports.

The minister affirmed that Saudi Arabia will do its utmost to assist Vietnamese businesses to invest in the country and others in the Middle East. — VNS