HANOI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of Vietnam and Kazakhstan have discussed measures to strengthen bilateral trade relations in their talks held here during a three-day stay of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who wrapped up his official visit to Vietnam on Tuesday.

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong met with his Kazakh counterpart on Monday, Vietnam News Agency reported.

During the talks, Thuong suggested the two countries establish a Vietnam-Kazakhstan Business Council and Kazakhstan launch negotiations to upgrade a free trade agreement to further enhance bilateral cooperation, said the report.

The two sides also hoped to promote investment cooperation by enhancing information exchange on investment environment and opportunities, and creating favorable conditions for enterprises to access each other's markets, the report said.

They said they believed the signing of a bilateral visa exemption agreement and a memorandum of understanding on tourism will contribute to enhancing tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Tokayev's visit to Vietnam was the first by a Kazakh president to the Southeast Asian country in 12 years. ■