This opinion was raised by Dr Doan Duy Khuong, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Vietnam Beketzhan Zhumakhanov at a meeting in Hanoi on September 23. The two sides also wished to strengthen the friendly cooperation relations in such fields as trade, tourism, agricultural and seafood export.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Doan Duy Khuong said the bilateral cooperation relations have been developing in many aspects. Vietnam and Kazakhstan signed framework agreements on cooperation in economy, trade, diplomacy, education, investment, labour, energy and others. Particularly, after the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Vietnam continued to conclude the FTA with Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) on a comprehensive scope, with high-level commitments and balanced benefits. He hoped that this relationship will continue to expand, go to the essence and bring about more practical results for businesses from both countries.
He said, with the Vietnam-EEU FTA, Vietnam's commodities will have more new markets. In addition, the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of 2015 to which Vietnam is a member is an opportunity for Kazakhstan businesses to boost cooperation with ASEAN countries.
Sharing this viewpoint, Ambassador Beketzhan Zhumakhanov emphasised that the cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Kazakhstan has constantly been promoted and strengthened. The two-way trade turnover increased from US$231 million in 2013 to US$247 million in 2014. However, this figure is still incommensurate with the cooperation potential between the two nations.
He hoped to see stronger cooperation in tourism, agriculture, logistics and other fields between the two sides. The ambassador added that, based on the established legal basis, the two sides will continue to enforce signed documents and exchange information to increase cooperation opportunities for businesses of both countries.
Regarding the upcoming meeting of the Vietnam and Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Committee for Commercial, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, he hoped VCCI will join this working visit from October 20 to 24, 2015 in Astana, Kazakhstan. He also expected that VCCI will send its deputies and sign the Cooperation Agreement with the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan to lay the basis for closer and deeper cooperation for businesses of the two countries in the future.
VCCI Vice President Doan Duy Khuong warmly welcomed the ambassador's suggestions, saying that he will study and coordinate with relevant units to host a delegation of 10 companies or so to accompany the mission to the Vietnam - Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Committee in October.
He added that, to boost the cooperation, the two sides necessarily strengthen meetings, exchange information, and research markets, enabling businesses to find out business opportunities. The Embassy of Kazakhstan should organise events to introduce Kazakhstan market in Vietnamese provinces and cities, he noted, citing that his experience shows that this direct approach is highly effective.
At the meeting, the two sides agreed to organise a seminar on the Kazakhstan market at VCCI Head Office on October 6, 2015, which is expected to draw agricultural, tourism and logistics companies. This will be a good opportunity for the two sides to update useful market information, meet and exchange directly with each other to seek business cooperation opportunities.
The Kazakhstani side also expects VCCI to lead a delegation of businesses to attend the EXPO 2017 in Astana.
Thu Ha
Vietnamese
