Hanoi (VNA) – A delegation of theVietnamese Embassy in South Africa, led by Ambassador Hoang Van Loi, paid a workingvisit to Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces from November 22-29 to seekopportunities for further strengthening investment, trade and tourism cooperationbetween the two countries.

The trip formed part of activities to promote economic diplomacy towardsexpanding the bilateral economic and trade relations after a long time affectedby the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within the framework of the trip, the delegation had working sessions with representativesof local policy advisory and business matching agencies and companies which areinterested in or those with experience in doing business in Vietnam.

During a meeting with Nomkhita Mona, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber (NMBBC) in EasternCape, the Vietnamese diplomat highlighted the potential of the Vietnamesemarket with a population of more than 95 million people, saying that thecountry is one of the most dynamic economies in Southeast Asia.

Mona said Eastern Cape has strengths in the fields of seaports, exports of consumergoods and automobiles, agriculture and tourism.

The two sides were committed to promoting cooperation and mutually supporting insharing information about trade and export and connecting partners.

Mona affirmed that NMBBC is willing to post information about the Vietnamesemarket and businesses on its website, creating favourable conditions for thebusiness community of Nelson Mandela Bay in particular and South Africa ingeneral in seeking partners.

The two sides agreed to coordinate in promoting the signing of memoranda ofunderstanding (MoU) between the South African Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Vietnam and the VietnamChamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Meanwhile, President of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) JenineMyburg spoke highly of efforts and initiatives of the Vietnamese Embassy topromote connections between Vietnamese firms and South African partners,affirming that the two sides will consider to concretize areas with greatpotential for cooperation in the coming time, focusing on goods and fields thatboth sides have demands and strengths.

The Vietnamese delegation also had working sessions with representatives of KarooLivestock Exports (KLE) which is specializing in exporting animal breeds, Rhodes Food Group (RFG)Group which has experience in exporting canned foods and vegetables to Vietnam,and Reutech Radar Systems – a multi-sectoral business company.

DaoManh Duc, Commercial Counsellor atthe Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa, said the Vietnamese Trade Office will work to promoteexchanges between the two countries’ business community.

South Africa is the first and only country in Africa thatVietnam has established the partnership for cooperation and development. It isalso the largest trading partner of Vietnam in the continent./.