August 23, 2006	Wednesday	Rajab 27, 1427

PHNOM PENH, Aug 22: Cambodia and Vietnam agreed on Tuesday to increase trade and work together to explore the potentially rich oil and gas reserves in their long-disputed maritime waters, an official said.

During his three-day visit to Cambodia, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung asked for the two countries to boost bilateral trade to $2 billion by 2010, Prime Minister Hun Sen's assistant said.

“Mr. Hung asked (Hun Sen) to boost the import and export between the two countries to reach $2,000 million by 2010,” Eang Sophalleth said after the meeting.

Hun Sen agreed to the suggestion, he said, and urged Vietnam to buy more products from the kingdom.

The two countries also agreed to cooperate in a study to explore oil and gas reserves in disputed maritime waters.

However, the sea borders of the two countries remain undefined.

“They did not discuss it in more detail,” Eang Sophalleth said.

Hun Sen and Hung also discussed how to strengthen cooperation in energy, mining, industry and tourism, he added.

Cambodia and Vietnam in March agreed to boost bilateral trade to one $1 billion this year as Vietnam agreed to scrap tariffs on 40 agricultural products from Cambodia.—AFP