Ambassador Nguyen Huy Dung takes part in a live broadcast of Egypt National Radio.

Speaking on the Egypt National Radio, Dung noted that Viet Nam, after three decades of implementing its Renewal process, is now the 21st largest export economy in the world on its strong commitments to foreign trade opening. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam recorded a positive economic growth rate of 2.91% in 2020, one of the highest in the world.

Viet Nam and Egypt have great potential for expanding economic-trade ties, especially in tourism, said the ambassador, pointing to the fact that Egypt is famous for its ancient civilization while Viet Nam also boasts an age-old civilization dating back thousands of years, along with many attractive tourist attractions.

According to the diplomat, Viet Nam has fully reopened its borders to foreign tourists since mid-March, and foreign travelers are now no longer required to have PCR testing before arrival. In addition, Viet Nam and 20 countries and territories, including Egypt, have so far recognized each other’s vaccine passports, making it easier for their citizens to travel to one another.

Talking about the coming 27th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP27) in Egypt, ambassador Dung said Viet Nam will join hands with the international community in pursuing the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, including climate change.

Viet Nam has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, and it is formulating its national power plan towards scaling down thermal power generation and developing renewable energy sources, he said.

On agricultural cooperation, the Ambassador emphasized Egypt is one of the most important trade partners and potential market of Viet Nam in North Africa. From a major food importer, Viet Nam has become a world leading rice exporter, ranking second in Southeast Asia and 15th in the world.

As Africa is in dire need of food at present and in future, the Ambassador said Viet Nam and Egypt have great potential for agricultural cooperation to enhance each other’s food security and at the same time help others in Africa.