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Bright horizons for Vietnam-Ethiopia ties

Update: 23-08-2018 | 11:24:15

Ever since Vietnam and Ethiopia established diplomatic relations in 1976 right after Vietnam gaining independence, both countries have maintained sound traditional ties and been a consistent source of mutual support at regional and international forums.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Tanzania and Ethiopia, Nguyen Kim Doanh

However, in a recent interview with a Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reporter ahead of President Tran Dai Quang’s Ethiopia visit from August 23-25, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Tanzania and Ethiopia, Nguyen Kim Doanh, said that owing to a variety of objective and subjective reasons, economic cooperation has been modest and below potential.

The Vietnamese diplomat described the first visit of a Vietnamese State leader to the most populous nation in East Africa as a historic landmark for bilateral ties, opening up prospects for investment and trade cooperation between the two countries in the coming years.

The Ethiopian side sees Vietnam as a paragon of success for developing countries in economic growth and national construction and hopes that the Southeast Asian country will share its experiences from the processes of renewal and economic development. In addition, Ethiopia is willing to facilitate the activities of Vietnamese businesses in the country.

During the visit, President Quang is due to visit the headquarters of the African Union (AU) where he will meet AU leaders to discuss measures to foster Vietnam-AU ties in the spirit of Vietnam’s foreign policy of openness, and diversification and multilateralization of international relations.

Mr Doanh highlighted the political, diplomatic and economic significance of the State leader's upcoming visit, which he said, will help to create a common cooperation framework and provide the basis for a level of political trust, there by inspiring further mutual support and more effective coordination at international forums as well as economic cooperation.

Vietnam will gain access to more consumption markets for its export-oriented economy, while Ethiopia will add to its development partners and draw greater investment, resulting in enhanced local job creation.

The two countries have so far signed a range of agreements on cooperation, such as a framework agreement on cultural cooperation and a framework agreement on economic, scientific and technical cooperation in 1978, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations in 2009.

During President Quang’s visit, the two sides will sign a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders and memoranda of understanding on cooperation between the two foreign ministries, and on investment promotion and agricultural cooperation.

Ambassador Doanh said that he hopes the visit will result in the two countries' successful negotiation on several new cooperation documents and agreements. Those being discussed include an agreement on the encouragement and protection of investment and a double taxation avoidance agreement to intensify bilateral cooperation ties in the coming time.

Ethiopia is three times the size of Vietnam, with a population of more than 100 million, favourable natural conditions and great potential for economic development but lacks management experience and the required capital to exploit its strengths.

Meanwhile Vietnam has a wealth of experience from the development process which it can share with the East African country and help it to take full advantage of its natural conditions, plentiful resources and abundant labour force to fulfill its target of becoming a middle income country by 2025, Mr Doanh said.

The Ambassador concluded that the President’s visit to Ethiopia will act as the catalyst for the creation of a new and comprehensive cooperation framework between the two nations and also with the African Union.

VOV

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