Vietnam, Cambodia tighten economic cooperation

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam and Cambodia have committed to urthering cooperation in planning and investment in 2009.

On March 4, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed after a
discussion between Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc and his
Cambodian counterpart Chhay Than.

To promote ties and mutual understanding, the two ministries will increase
high-ranking delegation visits and exchanges.

In 2009, Vietnam 's Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) plans to hold an
exchange with a delegation from the Cambodian Planning Ministry in a
Vietnam-Cambodia border province.

The MPI will also provide training courses for Cambodian officials using
non-refundable aid funds.

Moreover, the two ministries will continue to work together to share experiences,
and exchange information and documents related to planning.

According to the MPI, education and training is a top priority for both countries.

Last year, Vietnam gave 90 billion VND in non-refundable aid to Cambodia , of
which 73 billion VND was spent on education and training and 1,856 Cambodians
received academic scholarships from Vietnam .

Two-way trade between the countries reached 1.7 billion USD in 2008, a 42 percent
increase against the previous year.
The Cambodian government has licensed 39 Vietnamese investment projects valued at
211.2 million USD.-Enditem