Israeli President Reuven Rivlin receives Ambassador Cao Tran Quoc Hai’s letter of credentials in February 2016. (Photo: VGP)
According to Ambassador Hai, Vietnam and Israel have gained big cooperative results in politics, economics, security, defence, trade, science technology, training and tourism.
Of which, the political relationship has been reinforced and increased through regular exchanges of delegations, especially the visits of Israeli Presidents Reuven Rivlin and Shimon Peres to Vietnam in 2017 and 2011.
In terms of economic cooperation, Israel is currently one of Vietnam’s leading partners from the Middle East, with the two-way trade turnover of over USD1 billion each year on average over the past 3 years. Many of Vietnam’s key products such as phones, coffee, cashew nut, footwear and textile and garment account for some 10-20% of Israel’s market, while Vietnam is among the top 3 processed tuna exporters in Israel.
Each year, Vietnam sends over 700 trainees to study in Israel, the highest number among countries sending trainees to the country. It also grants hundreds of short-term scholarships to Vietnamese cadres and experts in start-up, hi-tech agriculture, education, leadership and gender equality. Many Vietnamese groups and companies have imported Israel’s high technologies for developing large-scale agricultural production projects in Vietnam.
The two countries have also reported positive cooperation results. In 2017 alone, some 25,000 Israeli visitors came to Vietnam, and Vietnam has become a favourite destination for more and more Israeli visitors with its beautiful scenery, delicious food and people’s hospitality.
Confirming that the two countries have many advantages to boost cooperation as they consider each other trusted partners and friends, they now strive to increase the two-way trade turn-over of USD3 billion in the years to come, and accelerate the negotiation of the Vietnam – Israel Free Trade Agreement by increasing investment and trade promotion activities, and creating favourable conditions for both countries’ businesses.
Additionally, while Israel has great need of foreign labourers, especially in agriculture, healthcare, construction and restaurants, Vietnam can provide plentiful and well trained human resources. Therefore, in the upcoming time, the two countries should promote negotiation of the labour cooperation agreement while considering opening direct flights, creating favourable conditions for businesspersons and tourists, according Ambassador Hai.
He added that during Israeli President Reuven Rivlin’s visit to Vietnam in March 2017, the two countries’ leaders agreed to give priority to economic and scientific and technological cooperation, especially in areas that Vietnam is in need and Israel is strong in, including hi-tech agriculture, water management, education and training, telecommunications, cyber security, smart cities, start-up and innovation./.