The northern province of Vinh Phuc presented its business and investment opportunities to more than 70 South African enterprises at a conference in Johannesburg city, one of South Africa’s economic and financial hubs.

The event, held on September 11, was part of a five-day South Africa visit by a working group from Vinh Phuc, led by Pham Van Vong, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council.

At the conference, Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Le Huy Hoang gave an overview of foreign direct investment in Vietnam, as well as the economic, trade and investment relations between Vietnam and African partners, and South Africa in particular.

He affirmed the Party and State’s continous policy to provide favourable conditions for foreign investors to run their long-term operations in Vietnam. The ambassador also called for more South African investments in Vinh Phuc and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Vong and Ha Hoa Binh, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, briefed participants on the investment environment, preferential policies and future projects to promote investment in the locality.

They highlighted the locality’s advantageous geographic features, abundant labour resources and supportive local leadership.

In turn, Charles Manuel, head of Investment Promotion at the South African Department of Trade and Industry, introduced his country’s potential as a promising investment partner.

He declared that the South African Department of Trade and Industry would continue to work closely with Vietnam’s relevant agencies and support South African businesses to build stronger partnerships with businesses in Vinh Phuc and Vietnam, particularly in the fields of mining and processing.

Laurence Saville, former President of Johannesburg’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Johannesburg firms were keen to cooperate with Vinh Phuc partners.

He also expressed his hope that Vietnamese enterprises act as bridge for South African firms to expand their businesses throughout ASEAN and the Asian region in general.-VNA