A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa, led by Ambassador Hoang Van Loi, paid a working visit to Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces from November 22 to November 29 in order to seek opportunities for the further enhancement of investment, trade, and tourism co-operation between both sides.

At the working session between the Vietnamese delegation and
the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber  (Photo: VNA)

The trip by the Embassy’s staff is part of a range of activities that are underway in an effort to promote greater economic diplomacy and expand both bilateral economic ties and trade relations following a long period of being hampered by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Within the trip’s framework, the delegation held working sessions alongside representatives of local policy advisory and business matching agencies, in addition to companies interested or experienced in doing business locally.

During the course of a meeting with Nomkhita Mona, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber (NMBBC) in Eastern Cape, Ambassador Loi highlighted the Vietnamese market’s great potential. With a  population of over 95 million people, the country is home to one of the most dynamic economies in Southeast Asia.

Mona replied that Eastern Cape province has strengths in the fields of seaports, exports of consumer goods and automobiles, along with agriculture and tourism.

Both sides outlined their commitment to promoting co-operation and mutually supporting each other in sharing information about trade, exports, and connecting partners.

The CEO of NMBBC went on to state that they are willing to post information about the Vietnamese market and enterprises on their website, therefore creating favourable conditions for the business community of Nelson Mandela Bay in particular, and South Africa in general, to seek partners.

The two sides used the working visit to agree to co-ordinate to promote the signing of a memoranda of understanding (MoU) between the South African Chamber of Commerce, the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Furthermore, Jenine Myburg, president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), spoke highly of the efforts and initiatives proposed by the Vietnamese Embassy to promote links between Vietnamese firms and their South African partners. Myburg affirmed that the two sides will consider areas that have great potential for co-operation moving forward, with a specific focus on goods and fields that both sides have a demand for or have strengths in.

The Vietnamese delegation also held working sessions with representatives of Karoo Livestock Exports (KLE), a firm which specialises in exporting animal breeds. This is in addition to Rhodes Food Group (RFG) Group, who have vast experience in exporting canned foods and vegetables to the country, along with Reutech Radar Systems, a multi-sectoral business company.

Dao Manh Duc, commercial counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa, said the Vietnamese Trade Office will strive to intensify exchanges between the business community of each respective nation.

Most notably, South Africa represents the first and only country in Africa that Vietnam has established a partnership with for the purpose of co-operation and development. It also represents the nation’s largest trading partner throughout the continent.