Economic diplomacy - 'The Companion' of localities and businesses

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an online conference tittled "Strengthening economic diplomacy for the realization of dual goals in the last 6 months of 2021" with the participation of all 96 Ambassadors and Heads of diplomatic missions of Viet Nam (Photo: Trung Hieu)

Since the 1980s, the late Foreign Minister Nguyen Co Thach was considered as a pioneer in economic diplomacy in the context of Viet Nam's extremely difficult situation of devastating consequences after the war.

Nowadays, Viet Nam is coping with the Covid-19 pandemic yet another war. Although there is no gunfire or bomb sound, the consequences are comparatively serious.

Making the people as the main center of the service

Over the past decades, economic diplomacy has become one of the main pillars of the diplomatic service; making important and practical contributions to the country's socio-economic development and international integration.

In the context of the complicated development of the Covid-19 pandemic all over the world, our country is struggling to cope with a very serious fourth wave of the epidemic, Assistant Minister, Director of the Department of Economic General Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Nguyen Minh Hang emphasized that economic diplomacy is becoming more practical meaning to directly serve the efforts of disease prevention and economic recovery of Viet Nam.

Implementing the policy and guidelines of the 13th Party Congress on promoting the pioneering role of foreign affairs in creating a peaceful and stable environment, mobilizing external resources to meet the requirements and aspirations for development in the new period, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son directed the entire diplomatic service to serve the country's development goals, in which economic diplomacy is the focus.

In the current period when the Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected many provinces and cities across the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to promote that spirit and strengthen the implementation of the policy of the 13th Party Congress: Enhancing the efficiency of economic diplomacy for national development and concentrating on people, localities, enterprises as the main center of our service

5 missions for a dual goal

Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an online conference "Strengthening economic diplomacy for the realization of dual goals in the last 6 months of 2021" with the participation of all 96 Ambassadors and Heads of diplomatic missions of Viet Nam to discuss measures to enhance economic diplomacy, serve disease prevention and contribute to the realization of socio-economic development goals in the last 6 months of the year.

At the conference, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son directed the heads of representative agencies to perform 5 tasks well.

Firstly, promote vaccine diplomacy in the form of aid, technology transfer as well as boosting the supply of medical equipment and supplies. The Minister directed that Covid-19 treatment drugs are a new direction, the heads of diplomatic missions need to find out specifically and immediately inform the country.

Secondly, focus on monitoring and detecting new trends during and after Covid-19 to inform and advise the Government in the implementation of strategies and development orientations for the country. For example, issues such as supply chain transformation, economic restructuring, green development, digital economy, and sustainable development goals need to be studied more deeply and thoroughly.

Thirdly, expand and deepen economic cooperation with important partners, taking advantage of free trade agreements, especially in the context that the last 6 months of the year will take place with many high-level foreign activities. with partner countries. The Minister suggested that the diplomatic missions soon review, learn and proactively propose specific and strategic economic projects in relation to important partners and thereby organize the promotion of substantive and effective external economic relations on the occasion of high-level visits.

Fourthly, continue to promote local connection activities, foreign economic promotion enterprises to adapt to the Covid-19 context.

Fifthly, on the basis of the specific situation of each locality, the Ambassadors and Consul- Generals need to proactively inform and advise on plans and routes to resume economic cooperation, travel, and tourism between Viet Nam and other countries.

To carry out these tasks, the Minister suggested that the entire Foreign Affairs branch put all its efforts and maximize resources for the development goals and aspirations of the country.

Assistant Minister, Director of the Department of Economic General Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Nguyen Minh Hang. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Going into practice

According to Mrs. Nguyen Minh Hang, in that spirit, over the past time, economic diplomacy has been implemented very drastically and effectively, supporting and accompanying ministries, branches, localities, and businesses in implementing the dual goal, promoting external economic activities and international economic integration, especially in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Firstly, proactively develop reports assessing the situation and major trends of the world economy, the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in the world, and experiences of other countries government and local authorities in disease control and response, thereby “design” many specific measures for the diplomatic service in particular and the Government, in general, to contribute in the pandemic prevention, promote socio-economic development, and take advantage of the recovery trend of the world economy.

Through these reports, localities can consult, handle and organize the implementation of pandemic prevention and control measures, while maintaining production and business, ensuring social security, and minimizing supply chain disruption in the regions.

Secondly, integrate the content of economic, trade, and investment cooperation in all high-level talks and phone calls with countries and international organizations.

Thirdly, continue to support localities through activities of connection, promotion, and facilitation of trade and investment activities.

In the context of the pandemic, most of these investment promotion activities are held online, but the actual effectiveness of these seminars is very positive.

As a connector, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs makes every effort to promote cooperation and investment promotion activities to create favorable conditions for localities.

Vietnam Embassy in India held a Vietnam-India investment and startup forum in August.

Fourthly, leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and regional leaders regularly exchange dialogue and solve the difficulties and problems of both domestic enterprises and foreign investors.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has consulted and provides suggestions to the Government on how to remove difficulties for businesses.

Fifthly, coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to propose many policies to facilitate the entry of foreign experts and investors.

In the first 6 months of the year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also actively coordinated to handle problems arising in economic relations with other countries, introducing and connecting many investors with localities and Vietnamese enterprises.

Regarding the orientation in the coming time, Minister Bui Thanh Son stated that the pandemic would not end soon, but that we are in the process of shifting to a "new normal".

The Minister directed the whole service to promote the pioneering role of foreign affairs, closely adhere to the direction of the Government and domestic demand, and promote economic diplomacy in order to make more practical and effective contributions in realizing the dual goals of the country in the coming time.

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