South African Ambassador Kgomotso Ruth Magau has said South Africa – Vietnam’s key export market in Africa – is a promising land for Vietnamese investors.

Addressing a Vietnam-South Africa trade and investment promotion conference in Ho Chi Minh City on March 27, the diplomat said her country is working hard to back the implementation of joint programmes with Vietnam in trade and investment.

The event, jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh City branch of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the South African Embassy and the South African Ministry of Industry and Trade, is a chance for enterprises of both sides to meet and seek partnerships, thus enhancing Vietnam ’s investment to South Africa .

The event also updated Vietnamese businesses with information on the trade and investment policies of South Africa, helping them enter the market easier.

Representatives from about 20 South African firms at the event also introduced their business in various fields such as information technology, communications, mining, equipment, chemicals, cosmetics and food.

According to Nguyen Tan Thanh, Director of the VCCI - Ho Chi Minh City , two-way trade between the two countries has grown stably in recent years, reaching 920 million USD in 2013 and 722.6 million USD in 2012.

Vietnam’s strong currency earners include footwear, apparel, wood and wooden products, electronics and accessories, and agricultural products. Meanwhile, it has imported from the country iron and steel, chemicals, cotton and fabric.

In the future, Vietnam and South Africa plan to further beef up their cooperation, especially in major areas like apparel, footwear, seafood and wine production.-VNA