Co-operation in trade and investment between Viet Nam and Belarus is enjoying ample opportunities brought about by the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union which took effect earlier this month. — VNA/VNS Photo Phuong Hoa

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Co-operation in trade and investment between Viet Nam and Belarus is enjoying ample opportunities brought about by the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union which took effect earlier this month.

The relationship between the two countries in economy, trade and investment remained restricted and far from the political one, agreed Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung and his visiting Belarus counterpart Vladimir Semashko in Ha Noi yesterday.

Despite a 14 per cent increase in 2015 compared to the previous year, two-way trade reached only US$125 million.

Additionally, Deputy PM Semashko said leaders from both sides were particularly concerned about strengthening co-operation, especially in energy, machine manufacturing, automobile, education and training.

Belarus said specialised bodies from both countries should closely work together to remove obstacles and shortcomings, and to soon increase bilateral trade to $500 million annually.

In the coming time, big enterprises from Belarus, including manufacturers of mechanical products, energy, automobile, machinery, and rubber would come to Viet Nam to seek co-operation as well as investment opportunities.

Deputy PM Dung said Belarus should facilitate Vietnamese goods entering the country's market, particularly farm produce.