Martin Bloem, managing director of the Holland Ma­rine Equipment (HME) and head of a delegation repre­senting 18 Dutch companies, pinpointed at a meeting here on Friday that maritime was a key area of cooperation. The delegation was accompany­ing the Netherlands Crown Prince Willem Alexander on a Vietnam visit that took in Hanoi, Haiphong and HCMC.

"Dutch companies plan to transfer technology in the maritime industry to Vietnam. We hoped cooperation between enterprises of the two coun­tries should help develop the maritime sector," Martin Bloem told a meeting with 75 local businesses at a meeting here.

The delegation, which grouped business leaders in equipment supply, services, and technical design consultancy for ship-building and the oil and gas industries, visited Vietnam to sound out business opportunities.

During the meeting arranged by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dutch companies introduced numerous products including rotors and coolers, vibration, noise and shock control sys­tems, rescue boats, and davits among others.

Bloem told the Daily that HME members had met with top officials of the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corpo­ration (Vinashin) and visited some factories in northern and southern Vietnam.

"HME planned to transfer technology in shipbuilding to Vinashin. Besides, some members of the delegation will start talks with Vinashin members to supply equipment and technologies," Bloem said.

Le Loc, deputy general di­rector of Vinashin, told the Daily that his corporation had been cooperating with Dutch maritime companies for some time now, but still to a limited extent.

Vinashin is cooperat­ing with Damen in design, technology and building ves­sels, and with Vosta LMG for building dredging ships.

Besides, Vinashin is doing business with Ned-Deck Ma­rine in buying cranes for sal­vage tugs, with VAF in con­trol systems for ships, with Vith Turbo BV in motive power systems and lHC Lagersmitin main axles.

Bloem, meanwhile, said Dutch companies would place special focus on the Vietnam­ese market which holds strong potential for development.

"We will continue to help our members in surveying the market and seeking business opportunities with Vietnam­ese enterprises," he said.

Economic cooperation be­tween Vietnam and the Nether­lands still does not match po­tential, with two-way trade last year posted at US$515 million, and direct investment from Dutch companies in Vietnam at around USS 1.835 trillion.