Hanoi (VNA) – Argentina wants to foster cooperation with Vietnam in biotechnology, hi-tech agriculture and energy, towards a common goal of developing a green economy, newly-appointed Argentinian Ambassador to Vietnam Marcos A. Bednarski has said.
Talking to the press on December 10 in Hanoi, the diplomat underlined his country’s great satisfaction with its relationship with Vietnam, saying that Argentina hopes to upgrade the Comprehensive Partnership with Vietnam to a Strategic Partnership soon.
He spoke highly of the increased exchange of delegations through the Party channel, and between localities of the two countries in recent years, showing his hope for more bilateral meetings in 2025.
For trade cooperation, the two sides have complementary economies. The Latin American country mainly exports input goods for the Southeast Asian nation’s industries. Meanwhile, Vietnam exports high-value-added commodities to Argentina, including phones, electronic devices, footwear, and textiles.
According to the diplomat, Vietnam is Argentina's third-largest trading partner in Asia Pacific, just behind China and India, and the 8th biggest on the globe. In the first 10 months of 2024, the Latin American nation exported goods worth 2.76 billion USD to Vietnam, up over 47% year-on-year.
In addition to trade exchange, the two countries are collaborating on agricultural projects, including research on soybeans, rice, and tropical fruits, he said, adding that they have been negotiating an agreement on investment promotion and opening market for new Argentinian products such as pork and tropical fruits.
Bednarski revealed that a delegation of eight Argentine companies has participated Vietnam Foodexpo 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City, expressing his hope that more businesses will show interest in attending the event next year.
The diplomat highlighted an important partnership between the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) of Vietnam and a business of Argentina, which results in the Argentine firm beginning to purchase fiber optic cables from Vietnam for the Internet network in the Latin American country.
This is another example that proves the benefits brought by diversifying trade products and the high-value-added industrial products of Vietnam, to Argentina, he noted.
Vietnam and Argentina are also negotiating a bilateral investment promotion agreement, and an agreement on double taxation avoidance and tariff reduction, which will provide more opportunities for businesses of both nations, he said.
Bednarski pledged to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in culture and sports, such as promoting and introducing Argentina's Malbec wine and Tango art in the Southeast Asian nation, contributing to further tightening the bilateral friendship./.
