Vietnam and African Nations seek new opportunities for trade and investment cooperation
On November 6, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, on the occasion of the non-resident African Ambassadors' visit to Vietnam to present their credentials to General Secretary, President To Lam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized the Vietnam-Africa Trade and Investment Dialogue.
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| The delegates attending the Dialogue pose for a commemorative photo. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The dialogue focused on in-depth discussions about trade and investment connection opportunities among delegates from 16 Vietnamese associations and enterprises in fields such as food, seafood, tea, coffee, cashew nuts, textiles, chemicals, mining, machinery, digital technology, telecommunications, processing technology, electric vehicles, and more, who are highly interested in the African market. The event also included representatives from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), ambassadors, and numerous representatives from Morocco, Mozambique, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Guinea, Mauritania, Algeria, Nigeria, and Libya. All Vietnamese Ambassadors in Africa participated online.
In her opening remarks at the Dialogue, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Tra, Director of the Middle East and Africa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated the loyal and trustworthy relationship between Vietnam and African countries, emphasizing Africa's role and importance in the future development of the world. The Director affirmed the high interest of key leaders, senior leaders, and the determination of ministries and sectors to accompany Vietnamese enterprises in deeper, stronger, and more connected cooperation with African economies for the practical benefits of businesses and contributing to the country's double-digit growth target.
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| Ms. Nguyen Phuong Tra, Director of the Middle East and Africa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivers the opening speech at the Dialogue. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
A representative from the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared insights on Vietnam's economic potential and policy directions in the coming period, as well as some interests of Vietnamese enterprises in cooperating with African countries. The representative highlighted the need for transparency in legal policies, mechanisms to ensure stable investment and business, convenient cross-border payment capabilities, and skilled labor standards from host countries in Africa.
Addressing the African Ambassadors visiting Vietnam for the first time to present their credentials, Moroccan Ambassador Jamale Chouaibi, Head of the Diplomatic Corps, and Head of the African Ambassadors Group in Vietnam, highlighted Vietnam's potential, strengths, and strong development, especially in the current period. The Ambassador proposed promoting the establishment of the Africa-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, organizing regular Africa-Vietnam Forums, and enhancing the organization of direct and online connection events like today.
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| An overview of the Dialogue. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Mozambican Ambassador Ilundi Dos Santos emphasized that with Vietnam's strong development achievements in recent times, it is an ideal partner to accompany, support, and share experiences with African countries. Angolan Ambassador Fernando Miguel shared that to maintain sustainable connectivity and partnership, African countries not only want to enhance trade cooperation but also desire more Vietnamese enterprises to venture out and invest in Africa.
Affirming the good friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, Ambassadors Benin Franck E.W. Adjagba, Botswana Lenkoko Sylvester Kenosi, Guinea Louncény Condé, and Mauritania Lucy Njeri Kiruthu highlighted the potential, strengths, preferential policies, and cooperation needs in various fields, especially agriculture, agricultural processing, mining, infrastructure development, healthcare, technology, tourism, and more.
The Benin Ambassador shared that the government offers very favorable policies such as 17-year tax exemptions and business establishment permits within three days. Highlighting the foundational relationship between the two countries when Guinea was the first African nation to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, the Guinean Ambassador expressed a desire to cooperate with Vietnamese enterprises in bauxite and iron ore mining and processing. The Botswana Ambassador regards Vietnam as a strong partner in modernizing agriculture in Botswana. The Mauritanian Ambassador seeks to promote cooperation in fisheries, food production, and processing.
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| African Ambassadors speak at the Dialogue. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Highly appreciating the practical significance of the Dialogue, representatives of Vietnamese associations and enterprises proposed various measures to promote cooperation between the two sides. The Vietnam Food Association, with its existing trade cooperation foundation, is ready to bring Vietnamese food products deeper and more diversely into African markets. The chemical corporation suggested that African Ambassadors continue to maintain contact and facilitate procedures to promote the import of raw materials and minerals from African countries.
The Bac Ninh City Industrial Production Association exchanged feedback with the Ambassadors on some advanced technologies with suitable costs, such as high-tech agricultural product preservation without chemicals, pineapple processing technology, a strong product of Benin. Other opinions also highlighted cooperation opportunities in both sourcing input materials and potential local investments in new fields. VCCI representatives affirmed their efforts and desire to accompany businesses from both countries in seeking and promoting cooperation, effectively exploiting the potential and strengths of Vietnam and African countries.
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| Representatives of Vietnamese associations and enterprises speak at the Dialogue. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
At the conclusion of the dialogue, delegates interacted and agreed to maintain close communication channels and enhance cooperation to transform the potential and strengths of both sides into specific contracts and cooperative projects.
