Francophone business forum opens in HCM City
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) held a Francophone business forum in Ho Chi Minh City on March 22.
The forum is among a series of events held within the framework of a visit by the Economic and Commercial Mission of La Francophonie (MECA) from March 21 – 30. (Photo: VNA)The forum is among a series of events held within the framework of a visit by the Economic and Commercial Mission of La Francophonie (MECA) from March 21 – 30.
Duong Anh Duc, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, stressed that there are substantial business and investment opportunities in the southern economic hub, and the city can serve as a launchpad for businesses of the OIF to join regional and global supply chains.
He pointed out that OIF enterprises can exploit opportunities brought about by free trade agreements that Vietnam is a member, such as the EU-Vietnam FTA, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Hoang Quang Phong, Standing Vice Chairman of the VCCI, said Vietnam and other OIF member countries have complementary conditions to develop together.
Vietnam possesses necessary conditions to help enhance the connectivity within the organisation and form a closed-loop supply-consumption chain, spreading from Africa to Europe and North America. Meanwhile, the Francophone economic space offers a big market for the Southeast Asian nation.
Vietnam has set up trade ties with 44 out of 54 OIF member countries. Sixteen OIF countries are running investment projects in Vietnam. A number of state-run groups and private firms of Vietnam have also invested in Africa, mainly in oil and gas, telecommunications, hydroelectricity and wood processing.
OIF General Secretary Louise Mushikiwabo emphasised that the presence of representatives from 25 OIF member countries at the forum has reflected their expectations for cooperation opportunities in Vietnam.
Lauding Vietnam’s dynamism, she said the country offers many opportunities for foreign businesses and investors, which has been highly valued by OIF businesses.
The visit to Vietnam by the Francophone delegation is part of the efforts to implement the Francophone Economic Development Strategy from 2020 – 2025.
Founded in 1970, the OIF now has 88 member states and observers. Together they account for 16 percent of the global population and 16.5 percent of the world’s total assets.
Since becoming an OIF member in 1979, Vietnam has consistently strengthened partnership with the Francophone community and been an active and core member of the organisation in Asia-Pacific. It hosted the Francophone Summit in 1997.
Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Thi Hoang Mai was appointed as head of the Francophone representative office in West Africa last year. She is the first Asian to head a regional OIF office overseas./.
You should also see
World economy’s recovery drives Vietnam’s exports
With the recovery of the world market and increasing orders, Vietnam's import and export activities in the first quarter of 2024 prospered and achieved positive results.
See more
Business
Investor confidence gains traction on improved business climate
Better investment climate, with simplified administrative producers and special incentives, has helped improve investor confidence, thus catalysing investments from a wider pook of both domestic and international investors for socio-economic development.
Business
Vietnam’s rice exports may exceed 2024 target
With positive results recorded so far, Vietnam can exceed its target of 7.6 million tonnes in rice export volume set for 2024, Nguyen Ngoc Nam, Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, said at a conference in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on April 26.
Business
Ample room for Quang Ninh to attract FDI
The northeastern province of Quang Ninh has ample room to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and realise the goal of attracting 3 billion USD in FDI this year and 10 billion USD in the 2020-2025 period.
Business
Long An, Dong Nai introduce strengths in RoK
The southern province of Long An and Dong Nai introduced their investment climate as well as socio-economic development orientations at an investment promotion conference held in the Republic of Korea (RoK) on April 26.
Business
Vietnam makes initial efforts to approach creative industries: CIEM
Vietnam has made initial efforts to approach creative industries and services, particularly a policy framework related to creative economy development, according to a new report released by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM).
