Honorary Consuls of Viet Nam abroad to go along with economic diplomacy work

Ms. Truong Thi Bich Ngoc, Deputy Head of International Relations Department, Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said that Honorary Consuls of Viet Nam abroad are one of the important links between the Government and Vietnamese enterprises in economic diplomacy work.
Honorary Consul of Viet Nam abroad: 'A good companion' of economic diplomacy work
The first conference of Honorary Consuls of Viet Nam overseas was held in Ha Noi on October 14. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Economic diplomacy plays a central role

The 13th National Party Congress has determined the pioneering role of foreign affairs in creating a peaceful and stable environment, mobilizing external resources for national development, in which economic diplomacy plays a central role.

Given unprecedented challenges and difficulties facing the world and region, along with the fact that Viet Nam has been deeply integrated, economic diplomacy over the past time has been implemented very drastically, effectively plays the accompanying role with ministries, sectors, localities and businesses in promoting foreign trade activities, international economic integration, as well as realising dual goals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting every country in the world, including Viet Nam. The pandemic has been disorganizing labor supply, reducing industrial output, and disrupting value chains.

To tackle these challenges, the Vietnamese government has been striving to come up with solutions to support businesses to overcome difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, on September 26, VCCI and related ministries and sectors engaged and coordinated to organize an online conference between the government and the business community.

In this meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directly engaged with the business community on two occasions over the past two months to discuss measures to support businesses in the context of COVID-19.

On October 7, VCCI continued to organize a working session between National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and representatives of Vietnamese businesses.

Dialogues and meetings between senior leaders and business people of Viet Nam are solid evidence to showcase that the Party and Government of Viet Nam intensively care about and highly appreciate the role of businessmen and enterprises in the period of industrialization, modernization and international integration.

Honorary Consul of Viet Nam abroad: 'A good companion' of economic diplomacy work
Honorary Consuls of Viet Nam abroad and delegators at the event. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

VCCI is willing to serve as a bridge

It can known that one of the important functions and tasks of the Honorary Consuls of Viet Nam abroad is to boost economic-investment ties, cultural exchanges, education and science-technology cooperation, tourism… between the receiving country and Viet Nam, thereby helping to promote multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

In the context of international economic integration and further trade-investment cooperation between Viet Nam and countries around the world, Vietnamese enterprises, in general, are always eager to gather details about the market, products, demand, tastes, consumption trends, information related to direct/indirect competitors, forecasts on market prospects.

To address these issues, the VCCI representative has made 6 recommendations for Honorary Consuls of Viet Nam abroad, in order to maximize their important role in economic diplomacy and contribute to successfully implementing the goals and tasks set out at the 13th National Party Congress.

Firstly, VCCI expects that the Honorary Consuls of Viet Nam abroad will continue to be the "eyes and ears" as well as "extended arms" of both Vietnamese government and enterprises, providing timely market information, being advisers to the government, introducing the world's best practices in economic governance, in institutional planning, in administrative reform, in formulating and operating policies and institutions to support the business community, digital economic model, digital transformation, epidemic prevention and control at enterprises...

At the same time, with their incredibility, experience and capacity, VCCI hopes that the Honorary Consuls of Viet Nam abroad will make critical responses on the unreasonable points of the host country related to policies and regulations affecting on activities of Vietnamese enterprises.

Besides that, Honorary Consuls can share information or introduce experienced experts in the field of digital transformation, models of digital technology in trade facilitation, flows of goods in the context of the prolonged COVID-19 epidemic, applying modern science and technology to develop high-tech, environmentally friendly products from the host country, so that Vietnamese businesses can study the best practices in the world.

Secondly, Honorary Consuls can assist businesses in verifying and identifying partners for investment and business cooperation in the host countries. Currently, a number of countries around the world have enacted the Law on Information Privacy, so it is quite difficult to verify the potential and financial status as well as relevant information of enterprises abroad.

Thirdly, Honorary Consuls can promptly forecast the possibility of changes in regulations and policies in the local country that can be applied to other; crisises of oversupply for some specific commodities; exchange rate fluctuations; changes in consumers’ tastes and patterns... so that ministries, sectors and associations of Viet Nam can warn and promulgate appropriate policies and orientations for every industry.

Fourthly, Honorary Consuls can actively promote and advertise Vietnamese products to consumers and businesses in the host country, as well as support domestic enterprises to promote export products to international markets.

Fifthly, Honorary Consuls can support Vietnamese businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, to connect with customers and partners, including small and medium enterprises of the host country.

Finally, VCCI hopes to get the detailed contact list of Honorary Consuls with full name, address, phone, email... so that VCCI as well as Vietnamese associations, businesses and entrepreneurs can easily contact and exchange information.

It is strongly believed that, with their understanding, capacity, experience, prestige, especially the deep love with Viet Nam and Vietnamese people, Honorary Consuls of Viet Nam abroad will continue to perform the role of strengthening traditional and friendly relations as well as actively contribute to promoting economic, trade and investment ties between Viet Nam and receiving states.

Following the government's direction, VCCI has been focusing all resources on supporting businesses to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, on September 17, VCCI has established a council among businesses to respond to COVID-19 to connect the efforts of governmental agencies, businesses and associations in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The council has put into operation a 24/7 online interactive platform to receive feedback, at the same time provide direct guidance, advice and support to businesses.

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(TGVN)