VCCI President Pham Tan Cong strongly believes that, with the importance and strategy of each side, Vietnam and Egypt will have stronger cooperation, especially in the fields of logistics, marine, shipbuilding, and furniture production.

The trade and investment ties between Vietnam and Egypt are not yet commensurate with the potential between the two countries. How can the two countries work together to improve it?

Cooperation in trade and investment is the main pillar of bilateral relations between Egypt and Vietnam. Despite the pandemic-related challenges, the trade volume between the two countries surpassed US$600 million in the last year. We are working closely with the relevant Vietnamese agencies through various mechanisms to further promote the economic ties between the two countries. For example, the second session of the subcommittee on industry and trade cooperation was virtually held in August 2021, and both sides are currently preparing for the 6th session of the Egyptian-Vietnamese Joint committee, to be held in Cairo.

Since my arrival in Hanoi, trade and investment cooperation is always on the agenda when I meet government officials and business leaders in Vietnam, including my very fruitful meeting with VCCI President Pham Tan Cong.

We look forward to building on our previous achievements in order to unlock the potential of economic cooperation between Egypt and Vietnam, by increasing the exchanged visits of trade delegations, participating in trade fairs and exhibitions, and deepening the engagement of both business communities to help them to share information and experiences and explore the potential areas of cooperation. At a later stage, we can consider forming a joint business council between both sides, in order to facilitate mutual trade and investment relations between Egypt and Vietnam.

Deputy Minister of Transport Le Dinh Tho wishes that Egypt will become an important partner toward a safe and efficient maritime route

How is the maritime cooperation between the two countries?

Maritime cooperation has a special strategic significance for both countries, as they both contribute significantly to the international maritime and shipping movement. Both countries are investing largely in this sector, and have vast experience and valuable knowledge to share. For this reason, it was a priority to have the necessary legal framework for cooperation between relevant ministries and agencies from both sides, including the MOU on Port Management signed on the sidelines of the state visit of H. E. President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi to Vietnam in September 2017. This legal framework paves the way for fruitful cooperation between the two sides in the fields of maritime infrastructure, logistical services, training, and technology transfer.

In light of this, the Egyptian embassy in Hanoi has recently undertaken the necessary coordination to organize a virtual meeting (webinar) between the representatives of the General Authority of Suez Canal Economic Zone from Egypt, and the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport, which had positive outcomes that we are currently following up with both sides to take further steps in the near future.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha also expected Egypt to accompany and cooperate with Vietnam in promoting climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building so that countries can fulfill their commitments to net zero emissions by 2050

Egypt has been selected as the host country of the COP27 Conference this November, how will the two countries cooperate in tackling climate change? 

Egypt is hosting COP27 in November this year, and we are looking forward to Vietnam’s contribution to its success. We also value the ambitious commitments of the Vietnamese government in this regard.

The vision of Egypt's COP27 Presidency is to ensure that effective implementation begins, together with a continuation to enhancing ambition on adaptation, mitigation, and finance, through a just and ambitious collective action leaving no one behind. We also believe that progress on delivery of the annual US$100 billion will build more trust between developed and developing countries

To that end, Egypt is working closely with all partners, including Vietnam, to ensure that the voice of the developing countries is well heard.

I recently had the honor to be received by H.E. Mr. Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and I believe we had a very instrumental discussion on measures to boost environmental cooperation and consolidate the channels of communication between the relevant agencies from both countries.

Vietnam and Egypt are facing similar environmental challenges, and it would serve the benefit of both peoples to further coordinate our efforts and exchange our experiences. In addition to climate change, potential areas of cooperation between Egypt and Vietnam include renewable energy, waste management, preserving biodiversity, and air pollution reduction.

The year 2023 will be the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. What to be done to further promote the bilateral cooperation?

Egypt and Vietnam share a long history of diplomatic relations, and next year, as you mentioned, will be a very special anniversary, which marks 60 years of friendship and cooperation. We are working closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other partners from different Vietnamese ministries and agencies to organize a number of joint activities throughout the next year, in order to reflect the depth of bilateral relations between both countries. We are discussing several proposals, including the exchange of high-level visits, organizing joint cultural activities, arranging business and investment events, people-to-people exchange, and tourism promotion activities. We believe that working together toward the celebration of our 60th anniversary will present a great opportunity for Egypt and Vietnam to take their friendship to a new height. 

Thank you very much!