The issues of deepening economic and social and cultural cooperation were discussed by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov and Vice President of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan.

The parties discussed topical issues of cooperation in the areas of trade, transit and logistics, tourism, agriculture.

The Prime Minister said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, Kazakhstan and Vietnam have established a constructive dialogue and reached a high level of bilateral cooperation.

According to him, over the past 7 years, trade turnover between the countries has doubled. The signing of the Agreement on a free trade zone between the EEU countries and Vietnam in 2015 contributed to this.

"At the same time, we are ready to increase Kazakhstan's exports by more than $500 million for 90 types of goods," Alikhan Smailov said.

At the same time, Alikhan Smailov raised the issue of granting Kazakhstani citizens visa-free entry to Vietnam, which will have a positive effect on the development of trade and tourism between the countries.

In addition, the Prime Minister stressed that of significant interest to Kazakhstan is the expansion of cooperation in agriculture, especially in rice farming.

"Scientific research and modern Vietnamese technologies of cultivation of this crop can be useful for our country. We are ready to start practical cooperation with Vietnamese colleagues in this direction," he said.

For her part, Vo Thi Anh Xuan stressed that Vietnam pays great attention to strengthening cooperation with Kazakhstan.

"The trusting political dialogue between our countries is the basis for further expansion of the bilateral partnership. Kazakhstan occupies an important geographical position in connecting major world markets. We are ready to consider concrete proposals for joint work in all mutually beneficial directions," Vo Thi Anh Xuan said.