"Iran has set a new vision which focuses on Asia and especially ASEAN while Vietnam is a member of this regional organisation. Iranian leaders also pay special attention to Vietnam and its achievements in national development. It is proposed that Iran and Vietnam can be two wings of the economic-political belt in Asia which can be a gateway for expansion of trade and distribution of goods for each other,” said Hossein Alvandi Behineh, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Vietnam, in an interview with Vietnam Business Forum.
* Could you please tell us about highlights in the cooperation between the two countries?
First of all, I would like to express my deepest thanks to Vietnam Business Forum Magazine of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) for kindly interviewing me on the occasion of the summit on the cooperation between Vietnam, the Middle East and North Africa on 4-5 November, 2013. Also, I would like to appreciate Vietnam Government’s efforts in organizing such a significant event to further boost and tighten the cooperation between Vietnam, the Middle East and North Africa.
As we know, Iran - Vietnam relationship has experienced a forty-year path. We have successfully celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Iran in 2013. In the past four decades, both countries have enjoyed a close cooperation and cordial traditional ties based on mutual respect and understanding. Exchange of many high-ranking visits has taken place so far and a great number of agreements, memoranda of understanding have been signed to strengthen our bilateral relations which reflect the desire of the leaders and peoples of our two countries.
Recently, official visits of Mr. Ahmadinejad, ex- Iranian president, Tehran’s Mayor and Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade to Vietnam, and reciprocally visits of the Foreign Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister and the Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee of National Assembly of Vietnam to Iran have been taken place. Presidents of two countries in the meeting in Hanoi in 2012 and recently by exchanging of letters emphasised the desire and determination to promote the bilateral relationship and cooperation on the different areas such as culture, politics, education, economy, commerce, investment…
About economy and trade, we organised successfully the 8th Joint Commission for Economy and Trade in Hanoi in 2013 and recently the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ho Chi Minh City branch organised successfully the Iran-Vietnam Business Meeting, the third meeting of the two countries’ business community.
In 2010, the trade volume between Iran and Vietnam reached 144 million USD, in 2011: 186 million USD and in 2012: 316 million USD. These figures have reflected year-on-year increase in trade cooperation but the two sides will strive to increase bilateral trade turnover to a higher level of 1 billion USD per year in the coming years.
About cultural and educational cooperation, until now, Iran Government has been presenting a lot of scholarships to Vietnamese students and an Iranian student has come to Vietnam for a Vietnamese language course. A Persian language course has been also organised in VNU – University of Social Sciences and Humanities for two years. Iran and Vietnam’s literature books have been translated into Vietnamese and Persian languages. In 2013 an Iranian traditional music group had performances in Hanoi on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between two countries.
* Would you please tell us the prospect for the relationship between the two countries and development of cooperation of the business communities of the two sides?
Iran has its pivotal geographical location in the Middle East, with GDP of 485 billion USD, approximate foreign trade volume of 200 billion USD per year and population of 78 million. As a member of ECO, we can provide an easy access for Vietnamese products to the Middle East, Central Asian and CIS countries with a market of over 300 million people in 15 neighboring countries.
On the other side, Vietnam is also a potential market for Iranian companies to establish their business here thanks to its strategic geographical location and being a member of ASEAN in the South East Asia with over 750 million people while the country has GDP of 141 billion USD, foreign trade volume of over 250 billion USD and population of 90 million.
Iran has set a new vision which focuses on Asia and especially ASEAN while Vietnam is a member of this regional organisation. Iranian leaders also pay special attention to Vietnam and its achievements in national development. It is proposed that Iran and Vietnam can be two wings of the economic-political belt in Asia which can be a gateway for expansion of trade and distribution of goods for each other. There is no doubt that the existing similarities, deep friendship in the past can be the engine for new cooperation between the two countries. With the policy of supporting expansion of relations through private sector, Iran invites Vietnamese businessmen to come to Iran for business visit and participation in exhibition, trade fairs and etc.
The business communities of the two countries explore definitely the potentials on the different business arenas. Iran can export products such as oil, gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, building materials, pharmaceuticals, dried fruits and industrial products to Vietnam market and Vietnam can export agricultural (5 percent broken rice, tea, coffee, pepper) fishery, garments (clothes and footwear), textiles, cashew nuts, wood, rattan and bamboo, sport shoes, hand phone, motorbike spare parts and bicycle and natural rubber products to Iran market.
Regarding geopolitical and strategic position of the two markets, the business communities of the two sides can absolutely use the available business opportunities.
* What areas do you think Iran can invest successfully in Vietnam and vice versa?
Regarding Iran’s potentials, Iran is finding the investment opportunities in the areas of technology, new technology, Nano – technology, energy, IT, petrochemicals, oil industry, refinery, construction and automotive parts, medical technology and pharmacy sciences, etc.
Also, Vietnam can invest successfully in Iran in the areas such as refinery, oil exploration and operation, agriculture, fishing, rubber, footwear and agricultural machinery, etc.-VNA
* Could you please tell us about highlights in the cooperation between the two countries?
First of all, I would like to express my deepest thanks to Vietnam Business Forum Magazine of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) for kindly interviewing me on the occasion of the summit on the cooperation between Vietnam, the Middle East and North Africa on 4-5 November, 2013. Also, I would like to appreciate Vietnam Government’s efforts in organizing such a significant event to further boost and tighten the cooperation between Vietnam, the Middle East and North Africa.
As we know, Iran - Vietnam relationship has experienced a forty-year path. We have successfully celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Iran in 2013. In the past four decades, both countries have enjoyed a close cooperation and cordial traditional ties based on mutual respect and understanding. Exchange of many high-ranking visits has taken place so far and a great number of agreements, memoranda of understanding have been signed to strengthen our bilateral relations which reflect the desire of the leaders and peoples of our two countries.
Recently, official visits of Mr. Ahmadinejad, ex- Iranian president, Tehran’s Mayor and Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade to Vietnam, and reciprocally visits of the Foreign Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister and the Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee of National Assembly of Vietnam to Iran have been taken place. Presidents of two countries in the meeting in Hanoi in 2012 and recently by exchanging of letters emphasised the desire and determination to promote the bilateral relationship and cooperation on the different areas such as culture, politics, education, economy, commerce, investment…
About economy and trade, we organised successfully the 8th Joint Commission for Economy and Trade in Hanoi in 2013 and recently the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ho Chi Minh City branch organised successfully the Iran-Vietnam Business Meeting, the third meeting of the two countries’ business community.
In 2010, the trade volume between Iran and Vietnam reached 144 million USD, in 2011: 186 million USD and in 2012: 316 million USD. These figures have reflected year-on-year increase in trade cooperation but the two sides will strive to increase bilateral trade turnover to a higher level of 1 billion USD per year in the coming years.
About cultural and educational cooperation, until now, Iran Government has been presenting a lot of scholarships to Vietnamese students and an Iranian student has come to Vietnam for a Vietnamese language course. A Persian language course has been also organised in VNU – University of Social Sciences and Humanities for two years. Iran and Vietnam’s literature books have been translated into Vietnamese and Persian languages. In 2013 an Iranian traditional music group had performances in Hanoi on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between two countries.
* Would you please tell us the prospect for the relationship between the two countries and development of cooperation of the business communities of the two sides?
Iran has its pivotal geographical location in the Middle East, with GDP of 485 billion USD, approximate foreign trade volume of 200 billion USD per year and population of 78 million. As a member of ECO, we can provide an easy access for Vietnamese products to the Middle East, Central Asian and CIS countries with a market of over 300 million people in 15 neighboring countries.
On the other side, Vietnam is also a potential market for Iranian companies to establish their business here thanks to its strategic geographical location and being a member of ASEAN in the South East Asia with over 750 million people while the country has GDP of 141 billion USD, foreign trade volume of over 250 billion USD and population of 90 million.
Iran has set a new vision which focuses on Asia and especially ASEAN while Vietnam is a member of this regional organisation. Iranian leaders also pay special attention to Vietnam and its achievements in national development. It is proposed that Iran and Vietnam can be two wings of the economic-political belt in Asia which can be a gateway for expansion of trade and distribution of goods for each other. There is no doubt that the existing similarities, deep friendship in the past can be the engine for new cooperation between the two countries. With the policy of supporting expansion of relations through private sector, Iran invites Vietnamese businessmen to come to Iran for business visit and participation in exhibition, trade fairs and etc.
The business communities of the two countries explore definitely the potentials on the different business arenas. Iran can export products such as oil, gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, building materials, pharmaceuticals, dried fruits and industrial products to Vietnam market and Vietnam can export agricultural (5 percent broken rice, tea, coffee, pepper) fishery, garments (clothes and footwear), textiles, cashew nuts, wood, rattan and bamboo, sport shoes, hand phone, motorbike spare parts and bicycle and natural rubber products to Iran market.
Regarding geopolitical and strategic position of the two markets, the business communities of the two sides can absolutely use the available business opportunities.
* What areas do you think Iran can invest successfully in Vietnam and vice versa?
Regarding Iran’s potentials, Iran is finding the investment opportunities in the areas of technology, new technology, Nano – technology, energy, IT, petrochemicals, oil industry, refinery, construction and automotive parts, medical technology and pharmacy sciences, etc.
Also, Vietnam can invest successfully in Iran in the areas such as refinery, oil exploration and operation, agriculture, fishing, rubber, footwear and agricultural machinery, etc.-VNA
