Prime Nguyễn Xuân Phúc receives Leaders of the central Argentinean provinces of Entre Rios, Santa Fe and Cordoba in Hà Nội on June 1. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Leaders of the central Argentinean provinces of Entre Rios, Santa Fe and Cordoba expressed their wish to boost ties with Việt Nam in economy, trade and investment during a meeting with Prime Nguyễn Xuân Phúc in Hà Nội on June 1.

And members of the football passionate nation also said they could help provide soccer coaches to train Vietnamese footballers in the future.

Governor of Entre Rios province Bordet Gustavo Eduardo, head of the delegation, informed the PM about the outcomes of its working session with Hanoi’s leaders, adding that the provinces also want to foster cultural exchanges with Việt Nam.

Governor of Sante Fe province Lifchits Roberto Miguel said he was delighted to see that the Vietnamese people are keen on football. As Argentina’s football industry has developed very strongly, the country could assist Vietnam by providing coaches and training for football players, he said.

Miguel hoped that leaders of the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism would visit the three provinces soon to discuss cooperation opportunities.

He also said the provinces had strengths in agriculture, especially animal husbandry, adding the potential for cooperation with Việt Nam is huge.

Agreeing with the guests’ proposal to develop football, PM Phúc said it is a promising field as there is a huge fanbase of football in Việt Nam.

The PM asked the two countries to step up joint work in the fields of strength, including trade, adding that Việt Nam has many key staples such as electronic products, rice, coffee, rubber, cashew nuts while Argentina has machinery and equipment, automobile spare parts, meat and dairy products. Vietnam wants to push forward a more balanced trade with Argentina, he said.

Noting that Việt Nam has a favourable business environment that attracts huge foreign direct investment, PM Phúc proposed establishing partnership between central Argentine provinces and Vietnamese localities, especially in the context that Việt Nam is integrating into the world economy.

The leader said that once Argentine firms enter Việt Nam, they could penetrate ASEAN, China and other Asian markets. — VNS