Vietnamese and South African businesses have explored cooperation opportunities in trade and tourism during a conference held in Hue City, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on November 27.
The event was co-orgnaised by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the South African Embassy in Viet Nam.
South African Ambassador to Viet Nam Kgomotso Ruth Magau said that South Africa , which boasts rich natural resources and modern infrastructure, is considered a gateway to Africa. It is emerging as a new attractive investment destination with friendly business environment, numerous preferential policies and accessible market.
The conference offers a good chance for enterprises of both sides, especially those in Thua Thien Hue, to share information and seek partnerships, thus strengthening the relationship between the two nations, she added.
Truong Thi Kim Anh, Deputy Director of the VCCI in Da Nang, said that since the two countries set up their diplomatic ties, South Africa has always been one of the promising trade and tourism partners of Viet Nam.
Viet Nam can provides agricultural products, handicrafts, garments, construction materials and seafood to South Africa while buying metals, wood and cotton from this market, she said.
However, he noted that the current two-way trade of about 1 billion USD is yet to match the two countries’ strengths and potential.
Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the Thua Thien-Hue People’s Committee Dinh Khac Dinh highlighted the prospect for collaboration between South Africa and Thua Thien-Hue, a cultural hub of Viet Nam with the two UNESCO-recognised cultural heritages of Hue ancient capital and Hue royal court music.
He said he hopes that through the conference, local tourism firms, associations and businesses will get more information about South Africa and its potential in order to further boost cooperation in the field.