A joint Vietnam-Slovakia business exchange was held in Hanoi on 27 January to increase economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, VOV news reported. Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly Nguyen Duc Kien affirmed that the Vietnamese government attaches great importance to strengthening ties with Slovakia and it’s time for the business communities of the two countries to boost investment cooperation. He hoped that businesses would discuss specific measures to seek their investment opportunities, establish partnerships and enter their huge European and ASEAN markets. Slovak National Council Speaker Pavol Paska pointed out both countries’ potential and said they can cooperate in energy, transport, health care and national defense. Slovakia supports bilateral cooperation and it believes that such cooperation will bring about good results, said speaker Paska. Representatives of 10 Slovak economic groups and businesses introduced their potential fields in transport, pharmacy and construction to nearly 40 Vietnamese businesses. The event was co-hosted by the Slovak Embassy and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (neurope.eu)