Vietnam's prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung has sought to secure a strong cooperative framework with oil-rich Kuwait covering trade, economics, labour and training.

According to VOV News, the head of state met with Kuwait's oil minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdulla Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Hanoi yesterday (September 29th) to discuss potential avenues for collaboration, with increased energy training cooperation high on the list of priorities.

The state visit came as Vietnam makes preparatory steps for the construction of the Nghi Son oil refinery, which will allow the country to begin exporting distillates and other refined products.

Data from the Energy Information Administration shows that while total oil production in Vietnam averaged 338,000 barrels a day in 2009, the country currently has zero refinery capacity.

Mr Dung expressed his keen hope that the country could speed up the development and construction process by working together with Kuwaiti authorities in training and technology transfer.

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