The pledge was made by the deputy minister at a seminar on Vietnam-Uzbekistan economic and trade co-operation prospects held in Hanoi on July 2.

Uzbekistan has a big potential of cotton and leather materials for supply to Vietnamese garment and shoe makers, he said.

As traditional partners, Vietnam and Uzbekistan have comprehensive co-operative relations for many years, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Danh Vinh.

The two countries signed bilateral agreements on economic and trade co-operation, investment promotion and protection, and avoidance of double taxation, Vinh said.

Vietnam needs to import cotton, metal, machinery, equipment and chemicals from Uzbekistan, he added.

However, the two countries need to enhance trade and investment relations as their import-export turnovers reached only US$5 million in 2006 and US$7 million in 2007, which remained modest compared to the potential of bilateral co-operation. (VNA)