Hanoi - Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani arrived in Hanoi Wednesday at the start of a two-day visit to Vietnam to shore up economic ties. At a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung, the two leaders agreed to further develop friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
Two-way trade between Qatar and Vietnam, which is the second fastest growing economy in Asia after China, reached 33 million dollars in 2007, with Vietnam's exports accounting for 13 million dollars.
Nguyen Tan Dung urged negotiators of the two countries to finalize the ongoing negotiations so that an investment encouragement and protection pact can be signed.
The two prime ministers also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Vietnam's State Capital Investment Corporation and Qatar Investment Authority, paving the way for the establishment of an investment fund of one billion dollars in Vietnam.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani said Qatar is willing to recruit more Vietnamese workers and experts.
In January this year, the two nations signed an agreement on labour cooperation. The number of Vietnamese workers in Qatar is expected to reach 100,000 in three years, from the current 10,000.
Last year, Qatar State Bank opened a branch in Vietnam's economic hub Ho Chi Minh City. Qatar Airways also opened direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Doha that March.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani said Qatar will soon open an embassy in Vietnam, following Vietnam's move to appoint an ambassador to Qatar earlier this month.
