Mexico (VNA) – With numeroussimilarities in climate, geographical location, and stunning natural beauty,countries in Southeast Asia and Quintana Roo state in particular and Mexico ingeneral should strengthen cooperation in areas where they have strengths,especially in tourism, agriculture, education, and sustainable development.

Governor of Quintana Roo Mara Lezama Espinosa raised the suggestion while receiving a delegation of the ASEANCommittee in Mexico City (ACMC) led by Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Hoanh Nam, who is also the rotating Chairman of ACMC, to theMexican locality from April 1 – 4 to enhance relations on all aspects between ASEAN and Quintana Roo.

Espinosa affirmed that the Quintana Roo authority always attaches importance tointensifying relations with countries and international organisations,including ASEAN member countries, and creates favourable conditions for ASEANenterprises to invest in the locality.

For his part, Nam said the visit offers anopportunity for the two sides to introduce economic and trade cooperation potentialand share experiences in implementing policies to attract investment, ensure socialsecurity, and promote economic growth and environmental protection towards sustainabledevelopment and biodiversity conservation.

He called on businesses to boost connectivity and tap the advantages of freetrade agreements.

Mexico is one of the most important markets for Vietnam in the Latin Americanregion, he said, expressing his hope that the two-way trade will continue to bestrengthened after the two countries upgrade their relationship to a comprehensivepartnership in the coming time.

Within the framework of the visit, the delegationattended the ASEAN-Quintana Roo business forum, and visited Anahuac Cancun University, Tulum International Airport, and some outstanding localbusinesses.

Speaking at the business forum, Karla María Almanza López, Secretary of Economic Development of Quintana Roo, highlighted the significanceof the visit in promoting economic, trade, cultural, and educationalcooperation.

Ambassadors from ASEAN countries all affirmed that there is ample room for cooperationbetween ASEAN and Quintana Roo as they share many similarities in policies for agriculturaland tourism development, and foreign investment attraction.

Representatives of Anahuac Cancun University and ASEAN guests discussedthe potential for student exchange between the Mexican education establishment anduniversities in Southeast Asia./.