Vietnam, Cuba look to boost economic relations to new height

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Nguyen Trung Thanh made the remark in an interview with Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of a State visit to the Latin American nation by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong from March 28 to 31.

The new trade agreement and other deals are expected to be signed during the trip, which Thanh said is a special visit to promote the time-tested relations. That faithful relationship should be brought to Vietnam’s reform and integration into the world and Cuba’s update of its socio-economic development model.

The two countries share a common political will which is bringing bilateral economic and trade ties to a new height, on par with the political ties – a rare relationship of its kind, he noted. 

They have a resolve to foster economic, trade and investment partnerships so as to meet each country’s demand and people’s aspirations. 

Despite their geographical distance, there is not only potential but opportunities for Vietnam and Cuba to boost economic links in many fields, from energy, telecommunications and tourism to industry, agriculture, food, hotel construction, aviation services and science-technology. These are vast fields in which the countries have complementary strengths, Ambassador Thanh said.

He added Vietnam has precious experience to share with Cuba and the Latin American nation also has things Vietnam can learn from so that both sides can capitalise on the new trade agreement.

The visit by General Secretary Trong coincides with Cuba beginning a reform process and leadership transition, an important political event that could create new conditions for the country’s development.

The diplomat said the two sides also need to infuse their special ties to young people so that younger generations uphold them. 

During the CPV leader’s visit, young people of Vietnam and Cuba will join in an exchange which aims to highlight the countries’ special relations and encourage them to create new ways to consolidate political trust and step up result-oriented economic and trade connections.

General Secretary Trong is set to engage in an exchange with Cuban youths and students and deliver a speech at the University of Havana. Thanh said he believes that with the sentiment of Vietnamese people and the CPV leader, the speech will encourage young people of Cuba.

Additionally, Vietnam and Cuba boast sound cultural and people-to-people relations, but there remains immense space to bolster these ties, Thanh said, voicing his belief that young people of the countries need to do much more to reinforce links in these areas.