Vietnam seeks ways to forge cooperation with Africa, Middle East post COVID-19
Participants at an international conference in Hanoi on November 11 proposed cooperation orientations between Vietnam and Africa and the Middle East post COVID-19.
Delegates at the international conference (Photo: laodong.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Participants at aninternational conference in Hanoi on November 11 proposed cooperation orientationsbetween Vietnam and Africa and the Middle East post COVID-19.
The conference was held by the Institute of Africanand Middle East Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) incoordination with partners.
In his opening remarks, VASS Vice Chairman Prof.Nguyen Duc Minh said the conference offers a chance for Vietnam and countriesin Africa and the Middle East to consolidate and beef up partnerships, whileseeking new cooperation opportunities post COVID-19.
It is expected to contribute to the implementation ofthe Vietnamese Government’s strategy on developing relations with thesecountries during the 2016-2025 period, he added.
Dr. Le Quy Kha, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - AfricaEconomic Cooperation Alliance (VAECA), said trade and investment ties betweenVietnam and African and Middle East nations have not yet matched their potential.
Therefore, it is very important to optimiseopportunities and advantages to enhance the cooperation, he stressed, suggestingthe Vietnamese Government work to meet technological requirements of Africa,and open Vietnamese banks, both State and private ones, in Africa and vice versa.
Vietnam should open more representative offices ofembassies in the countries that are interested in cooperating with Vietnam, and intensifyinformation sharing with Africa through multiple channels, he said.
Dr. Kieu Thanh Nga, deputy head of the Institute ofAfrican and Middle East Studies, pointed out great opportunities for foreigninvestors in Vietnam as the country boasts abundant human resources, young workforce and growing middle class.
Echoing Kha’s views, she said economic and traderelations between Vietnam and Africa have remained modest, and suggested the twosides further enhance their political and diplomatic ties.
Vietnam would establish cooperation forums and mechanisms,and devise incentives to encourage businesses, universities and privateorganisations to actively engage in financial organisations, the official said.
She also suggested building a policy framework forVietnam-Africa cooperation through a free trade agreement.
The participating experts also exchanged experience inhandling and removing difficulties to collaboration between Vietnam andAfrica./.
Vietnam always attaches great importance to further tightening the traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with African countries, said a Vietnamese official.
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Delegates at the international conference (Photo: laodong.vn) 
