VCCI Vice President Bui Trung Nghia (R) receives Mauritanian Minister in charge of General Secretariat of the Government Moctar Al Housseynou Lam 

Recently, at the headquarters of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), VCCI Vice President Bui Trung Nghia met with a senior Mauritanian delegation led by Moctar Al Housseynou Lam, Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Government. The meeting focused on strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation while fostering closer ties between the two countries' business communities.

Speaking at the session, VCCI Vice President Bui Trung Nghia welcomed the Mauritanian delegation and noted that the ties between Vietnam and Mauritania began in 1965. However, the trade and investment cooperation remain modest compared to their potential. He shared that Vietnam has made major strides in economic growth, expanding exports, diversifying markets, attracting foreign investment, and boosting production capacity. Today, Vietnam trades and invests with most countries globally while aiming for fast, sustainable growth, higher value addition, and stronger competitiveness.

On the Mauritanian side, Minister Moctar Al Housseynou Lam shared that the visit to VCCI is part of a broader effort to deepen economic ties between the two nations. He appreciated the information shared by VCCI and said the organization has made contributions to making Vietnam a bright spot for economic development in Asia.

He said that Mauritania is particularly interested in Vietnam's experience in private sector development, industrialization, administrative reform, infrastructure, logistics, and the marine economy. These are priority areas for Mauritania and provide a foundation for both countries to expand cooperation. Praising the country's progress, he called Vietnam "a model for economic development in Asia." He added that the two economies complement each other well: Vietnam brings strengths in science, technology, and manufacturing, while Mauritania offers abundant natural resources and a strategic location, serving as a gateway connecting North Africa, West Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe.

Sharing Mauritania's potential, he explained that the country holds strong advantages in mining, fisheries, energy, agriculture, and livestock farming. The Mauritanian government is also working to improve its investment climate, diversify the economy, and attract foreign capital through support mechanisms, viewing the private sector as a key driver of growth.

Minister Moctar Al Housseynou Lam expressed his hope of strengthening cooperation with VCCI to foster closer business links and expand trade and investment. He shared VCCI's view that bilateral trade remains modest, totaling approximately US$5.4 million in 2023, underscoring the significant untapped potential for cooperation.

Also speaking at the session, Dr. Coumba Ba, Advisor to the President of Mauritania and Special Envoy for Francophonie Affairs, shared a vision for boosting economic cooperation within the Francophone space, especially in investment. She praised Vietnam's development progress and acknowledged its growing role and standing within the Francophone community, which creates fresh opportunities to expand trade and investment ties between Vietnam and fellow member states.

Addressing specific directions, VCCI Vice President Bui Trung Nghia suggested that both sides work together more closely by organizing forums, business delegation exchanges, market info sharing, and business matchmaking. He suggested prioritizing high-potential sectors like agriculture, food processing, livestock, energy, transportation, telecommunications, and services.

He added that VCCI stands ready to partner with Mauritanian counterparts to set up working groups or specialized mechanisms to drive practical business ties. Boosting cooperation within the Francophone community will unlock broader opportunities, not just between Vietnam and Mauritania but also with other member nations.

To conclude the meeting, both sides agreed to step up information sharing, expand business networks, and push trade and investment forward, helping bring Vietnam-Mauritania economic ties in line with their shared potential and long-standing friendship.