Buenos Aires (VNA)♔ – Vietnam 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 Bui Van Nghi in Brasilia on June 19.

The Vice President said he is impressed by Vietnam's growth rate and international economic integration as it has joined 16 free trade agreements (FTAs). Vietnam 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 Vietnam, 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 Nghi emphasised that in addition to the fine political and diplomatic relations, economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Brazil continues to grow strongly. Brazil is Vietnam's largest trading partner in Latin America and second in America, after the US. Meanwhile, Vietnam is Brazil's leading trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, trade between Vietnam and Brazil hit 7.11 billion USD, of which Vietnam’s imports were valued at 4.7 billion USD. In the first five months of this year, Vietnam's export turnover to Brazil reached 1.14 billion USD, up 1.48% over the same period last year. Vietnam's key export items to Brazil included phones and components, vehicles and spare parts and computers and electronic products. Nghi spoke highly of Brazilia's aviation technology, including Embraer's narrow-body aircraft, suitable to the need of Vietnam's air transport and tourism development./.