Trade between Vietnam and the Middle East has gone up sharply in recent years.

The Middle East has a high demand for farm produce, pepper, cashew, coffee, seafood, garment and textile products, footwear, and wood products from Vietnam.

Vietnam enjoys a trade surplus with the Middle East.

But despite the increase in trade, Vietnam’s exports to the Middle East still account for a very small portion of the region’s total imports. Now the two sides are eager to promote economic, trade and investment ties.

Vietnam hopes to attract more investment from the Middle East . As the hub of the Middle East and the gateway to Europe and Africa, Vietnam could serve as an entry point to the global market for Vietnamese companies. In turn Vietnam could be the gateway to Southeast Asia for UAE firms.