site.btaIndustrial Zones and Tourism Discussed with Vietnam

The economic potential of industrial zones and tourism was discussed on Sunday between Bulgaria's National Assembly Chair Rosen Zhelyazkov and Nguyen Xuan Ky, Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council.

The discussion took place on the second day of Zhelyazkov's four-day official visit to Vietnam.

Quang Ninh is one of Vietnam's most developed and successful provinces, with a balanced economy in which industry (including mining) and high technology account for 50%, and the rest is services, among them tourism, which has been growing at a remarkable rate. The province boasts a GDP of USD 10,000 per capita, Zhelyazkov told Bulgarian journalists after the talks.

He said: "We were briefed on available opportunities in industrial zones currently under construction and in the tourism sector. We told our hosts about the possibilities which the free trade and investment protection agreement will provide in the coming years, including with regard to reducing customs duties and expanding travel services."

The meeting was extremely fruitful and will continue at a high political level on Monday, according to Zhelyazkov.

Monday's agenda of the Bulgarian parliament leader's visit includes talks with Vietnam's National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.