More than 20 Iranian businesses operating in oil and gas, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, machinery, livestock processing, construction, building materials, animal feeds and synthetic import-export had a meeting with Vietnamese businesses in Vietnam-Iran business forum jointly organised in Hanoi by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Embassy of Iran in Vietnam.
According to Iranian Ambassador Hossein Al-Vandibehine, Vietnam is an important nucleus in economic development of ASEAN. Therefore, Iran wishes to further strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in all economic fields. Ambassador Hossein Al-Vandibehine also said that Iran needed to import a large amount of 5 percent broken rice (Iranian standards), tea, coffee, pepper, clothes, footwear, motorbike spare parts and bicycles and rubber from Vietnam. Iran is also seeking investment opportunities in Vietnam’s energy, petrochemical and seafood projects.
However, according to Ambassador Hossein Al-Vandibehine, the two sides don’t have much information about the markets and there hasn’t been a direct flight between the two countries so the market flow is facing difficulties. Therefore, to solve the problems, he suggested that the two parties increase high-ranking visits as the two governments play a big role in increasing trade exchange. The two countries also need to organize more fairs and exhibitions in order for their businesses to advertise their products.
In addition, to increase import-export turnover, the two countries should focus on insurance, banking and transportation; especially creating a cooperation system between the two countries’ banks and applying appropriate tax systems.
According to statistics in 2011, the total export turnover between Vietnam and Iran was estimated at US$185.6 million. In the first 5 months of 2012, the figure reached US$47.5 million, of which Vietnam earned US$4.1 million from exports to Iran and spent US$23.4 million on imports.
Vietnam mainly exports textiles, tea, rubber, coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, timber and wood products, footwear, ceramic products, rattan and bamboo, etc. and imports from Iran asphalt, cotton, base metals, sulfur, plastic materials, textile materials, chemical products, iron, steel and rubber, etc.
Mr Nguyen Vu Kien, Deputy Head of International Relations Department of VCCI said that Iran was a potentially large market for Vietnamese exports with the population of 17 million. In recent years, the relationship and cooperation between Vietnam and Iran has constantly developed. Good diplomatic relations is fundamental for the two countries to strengthen cooperation in many fields.
Mr Kien said that, in the near future, food will likely become a typical traded form of goods for the two countries, settling difficulties in payment channel.
In addition, Iranian leaders who recently visited Vietnam wanted to negotiate and concluded economic cooperation agreements with Vietnam such as a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), establishing specialized cooperation sub-committees, boosting tourism development and establishing direct flights between the two countries.
The 2012 Vietnam-Iran Business Forum is expected to help businesses of the two countries better understand market demands and increase cooperation to foster economic relations between the two countries. The VCCI is willing to link business communities, said Nguyen Vu Kien.
Ambassador Hossein Al-Vandibehine also said that the Iranian Embassy would try to create the best conditions for businesses of the two countries to work together. It would also try to become a bridge for Vietnamese goods to enter Middle Africa, while strengthening the ties between Vietnam and Iran.
Quynh Anh
Vietnamese
