Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (right) meets with Foreign Minister of Ivory Coast Marcel Amon-Tanoh in Hà Nội on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam is committed to enhancing its relations with the Ivory Coast in not only economy but also other spheres, including national defence, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said on Thursday. 

At a meeting with Foreign Minister of Ivory Coast Marcel Amon-Tanoh in Hà Nội, the PM expressed his hope that businesses of the two countries will boost their ties. 

He called on the Ivory Coast to help Vietnamese enterprises operate in the African country and to help Vietnamese goods to penetrate the market. 

PM Phúc said he expected the two sides would soon reach concrete outcomes in new co-operation spheres, saying Việt Nam is ready to assist the Ivory Coast in rice farming. 

He also suggested the two countries optimise their strengths in cashew exports. 

The Ivory Coast could become a bridge for Việt Nam to enter the African market while Việt Nam could serve as a gateway for the Ivory Coast to penetrate into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as Việt Nam’s major partners, he said. 

The leader thanked the Ivory Coast government for how it has helped the Vietnamese community in the host country. 

He said the minister’s first visit to Việt Nam will open up a new chapter in relations between the two countries. 

Minister Amon-Tanoh said with an open business environment, the Ivory Coast hopes to attract more foreign investors, including those from Việt Nam.

The minister suggested the two countries soon sign agreements on investment protection and double taxation avoidance to improve the efficiency of the bilateral economic ties. 

In the process of economic modernisation, the Ivory Coast wants to develop the processing industry, especially cashew processing, he said, describing this as an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to invest in the country. 

The two sides also agreed to diversify collaboration in national defence and healthcare. — VNS