Vietnam is calling for Saudi Arabia’s decision to soon lift a ban on the imports of seafood from the country, along with opening the market for more farm produce.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Foreign Minister of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Photos: VNA

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave the remarks during a meeting with the Foreign Minister of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud today [March 17].

At the meeting, Chinh congratulated Saudi Arabia with achievements on socio-economic development in the past five years of executing the “Vision 2030”.

The Prime Minister thanked the Saudi Arabian Government and other humanitarian organizations for their timely finance and medical equipment support for Vietnam in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

In terms of political cooperation, Chinh called for both countries to bolster exchanges of high-ranking officials and people-to-people diplomacy.

Chinh reiterated his invitation for Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit Vietnam.

He asked the Saudi Arabian Government to share their experience on accessing the halal product and services market while creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to partake in oil projects in Saudi Arabia.

According to Chinh, the Vietnamese Government is willing to support investment funds and corporations from Saudi Arabia to do business in the country. He suggested the Saudi Development Fund increase the number of projects and financial support to improve the lives of Vietnamese people in rural and remote areas.

Overview of the meeting.

Chinh also thanked Saudi Arabia for continuing to assist Vietnamese people living and working in the kingdom over the years, especially during the difficult period of Covid-19.

He requested Saudi Arabia to further receive high-skilled workers from Vietnam in the fields of hospitality services, healthcare, and at the same time to protect the lawful rights of Vietnamese workers in the country.

Chinh noted Vietnam has fully reopened the country for foreign tourists since March 15, hopes to welcome those from Saudi Arabia to visit Vietnam.

On the international front, Chinh expected both countries to continue supporting each other in an international and multilateral framework, including in the UN.

For his part, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Saudi Arabia gives importance to the relations with Vietnam.

The prince highlighted Vietnam’s strong progress in socio-economic development and congratulated the country for its successful campaign against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Saying both countries have huge potential for cooperation in various fields, especially in trade and investment, the prince, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, pledged to further strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on economic development.