Vietnamese Ambassador Bùi Văn Nghị and Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmi at a working session on June 19 in the capital Brasilia. — VNA/VNS Photo

BUENOS AIRES — Việt Nam is Brazil’s priority partner in Asia, Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services of Brazil Geraldo Alckmin affirmed at a working session with Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bùi Văn Nghị in Brasilia on June 19.

The Vice President said he is impressed by Việt Nam's growth rate and international economic integration as it has joined 16 free trade agreements (FTAs).

Việt Nam is currently an attractive economic, trade and tourism destination, he said, adding that the country connects supply chains, semiconductor production and logistics services.

He proposed establishing a direct route linking Brazil and Việt Nam, thus contributing to promoting tourism and trade exchange with Southeast Asia.

Brazil is interested in promoting cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and high technology, especially the semiconductor industry and clean, renewable energy, Alckmin said.

For his part, Ambassador Nghị emphasised that in addition to the fine political and diplomatic relations, economic and trade cooperation between Việt Nam and Brazil continues to grow strongly. Brazil is Việt Nam's largest trading partner in Latin America and second in America, after the US. Meanwhile, Việt Nam is Brazil's leading trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, trade between Việt Nam and Brazil hit $7.11 billion, of which Việt Nam’s imports were valued at $4.7 billion.

In the first five months of this year, Việt Nam's export turnover to Brazil reached $1.14 billion, up 1.48 per cent over the same period last year. Việt Nam's key export items to Brazil included phones and components, vehicles and spare parts and computers and electronic products.

Nghị spoke highly of Brazilia's aviation technology, including Embraer's narrow-body aircraft, suitable to the need of Việt Nam's air transport and tourism development. — VNS