VITEBSK, 1 August (BelTA) – Belarus’ Vitebsk Oblast and Vietnam provinces are planning to cooperate in oil processing, engineering and light industry, Deputy Chairman of Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Oleg Matskevich told reporters after he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Belarus Dang Huy Tran on 30 July, BelTA has learned. Vietnamese provinces are interested in cooperation in oil processing as they want to implement projects to build big oil refineries in Vietnam. Vitebsk Oblast may help train specialists for this industry. Belarus’ region is also ready to consider proposals to cooperate in technical and manufacturing areas, according to Oleg Matskevich. Moreover, at the meeting Dang Huy Tran expressed interest in cooperation in agricultural engineering. One more promising cooperation avenue for Vitebsk Oblast and Vietnam may be the cooperation of universities and the exchange of students. Food industry is one more promising area of cooperation. Some Belarusian companies have already delivered trial consignments of goods to Vietnam. After certification they are ready to advance into the South Asian market. Ties between Vitebsk Oblast and Vietnamese provinces are constantly expanding, Oleg Matskevich noted. In May 2011 a delegation of Vitebsk Oblast paid a visit to Vietnam. During the visit the parties signed an agreement on trade and economic cooperation between Vitebsk Oblast and Hai Phong Province, and the memorandum on cooperation in tourism with Binh Thuan Province. At the meeting between Vitebsk Oblast officials and the Ambassador of Vietnam the parties analyzed the implementation of agreements and the progress of cooperation of the two regions. Dang Huy Tran will also visit the free economic zone Vitebsk and some resident companies, look into the tourism capacity of Vitebsk and its landmarks.

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