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| Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and President of Namibia, Nangolo Mbumba. (Source: VGP) |
On October 8 in Hamburg, Germany, while attending the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc met with President of Namibia Nangolo Mbumba and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim.
During the meeting with the President of Namibia, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc congratulated Namibia on its impressive achievements, recognizing it as one of the African countries maintaining stable growth. He reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to strengthening and developing friendly and cooperative relations with Namibia. The Deputy Prime Minister proposed that both countries increase delegation exchanges, particularly high-level visits, foster business connections and share market information, potential and strengths.
He called on Namibia to facilitate the entry of Vietnam’s key export products, such as rice, agricultural goods, household items, textiles and wood, into the Namibian market, and to cooperate in areas like minerals and precious metals, which are Namibia's strengths. He also encouraged the facilitation of Vietnamese businesses investing in Namibia, as well as exploring opportunities for bilateral or trilateral agricultural cooperation.
President Mbumba expressed admiration for Vietnam's struggle for national independence and unity under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh. He congratulated Vietnam on its remarkable socio-economic development and its growing international role and reputation. The President expressed a strong desire to further develop the friendly and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
Both sides agreed to intensify economic and trade cooperation, increase high-level exchanges, and promote engagement between ministries, localities and businesses. They also emphasized collaboration on both party and state channels and mutual support in multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 (G77).
On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc conveyed an invitation from Party General Secretary and President To Lam to President Mbumba to visit Vietnam, especially as the two countries will celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.
In his meeting with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal Bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc affirmed that Saudi Arabia is one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the Middle East. He praised Minister Al-Ibrahim's significant contributions to strengthening the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia during his tenure as Chair of the Saudi Arabia division of the Intergovernmental Committee between the two nations.
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc proposed that both sides boost delegation exchanges, particularly at high levels. He also requested Minister Al-Ibrahim's support in encouraging Saudi Arabian investment funds and businesses to enhance their investments in Vietnam, as well as assistance in developing Vietnam's Halal industry and lifting the temporary ban on the import of Vietnamese farmed seafood.
Minister Al-Ibrahim emphasized that Vietnam is one of Saudi Arabia’s top partners not only in Asia but also globally, and pledged to work to enhance trade and investment cooperation between businesses from both nations.
Both sides agreed to collaborate on developing a roadmap for cooperation, identifying specific projects and investment opportunities, and enhancing cooperation in multilateral global and regional mechanisms./.