Hanoi (VNA)ဣ – Vietnamese and Mexican businesses met in Hanoi on October 10 to seek partnership opportunities brought about by the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Addressing the event, jointly held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Mexico State Coordinating Business Council (CONCAEM), Mexican Ambassador to Vietnam Sara Valdes Bolano highlighted the significance of cooperation between the two countries, especially after the TPP is signed and takes effect. Mexico is a traditional partner of Vietnam, she noted, adding that the two sides have deep mutual understanding as well as high demand for local products of each other. The meeting showed a common interest and a shared desire to boost bilateral cooperation, especially amidst international integration in both countries, said the diplomat. Participating Mexican firms - big names in trade, education, agriculture and agricultural machineries, and exhibition equipment, wished to study the Vietnamese market and share economic and trade information, as well as investment attraction policies, said Julio Rodriguez Trigueros, CONCAEM Director for External Relations. Meanwhile, Nguyen Vu Kien from the VCCI Department of International Relations said the Vietnam-Mexico cooperation, which was set up in 1975, is growing with various activities in trade and import-export. Two-way trade reached over 1.1 billion USD in the first half of this year, he noted. Vietnam mainly exported to Mexico accessories, footwear, computers, seafood and garments and imported electronics, machineries and equipment, and steel. Although bilateral trade ties have grown through years, potential partnership between businesses of both sides remained untapped, said Kien. He affirmed that Vietnam can act as a gateway for Mexican businesses to enter ASEAN markets, while Mexico can help Vietnam set foot in Latin American ones.-VNA