Gov’t chief receives Deputy President of South Africa

Pham reiterated that Viet Nam always attaches importance to the traditional cooperation and friendship with South Africa, which is one of its leading partners in Africa.

The host leader welcomed the visit, saying that South Africa is currently the largest trading partner of Viet Nam in Africa, with two-way trade turnover of US$1.2 billion on average per year. The African country has invested US$620,000 in Viet Nam, while Viet Nam’s outward investment in South Africa has touched about US$8.16 million.

The Government leader spoke highly of South Africa’s role at regional and international forums and asked it to serve as a bridge for cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the African Union as well as regional economic communities.

Regarding economic aspect, the Prime Minister suggested the two sides should continue perfecting legal regulations to create safety and confidence to enable their businesses to invest in the areas of shared interest.

Pham suggested the two sides provide optimal conditions for their goods to enter each other’s markets, including negotiating and signing a cooperation deal on the mineral industry, which both countries have large potential for and is also important in the current period.

He also suggested cooperation be expanded in the fields of digital transformation, green growth, granting of scholarships for students, and granting of visas for the two countries’ citizens.

The two leaders also agreed to enhance the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and share experience in optimizing financial resources for the development of a renewable energy industry ecosystem and services, energy transmission and storage, efficient energy use, green energy transition, and greenhouse gas emission reduction in the transportation sector.

In reply, the Deputy President of South Africa expressed his delight at his successful visit, saying he hopes more mutual visits will be organized in the time ahead.

Deputy President Mashatile informed his host of some issues reached with high consensus by both sides during his talks with Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.

Especially, the two sides affirmed their determination to lift two-way trade turnover to US$2 billion in the coming time and encouraged investments in each other's market in various potential areas such as electric vehicles and their batteries, pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment, mining, natural resources and environment, and wildlife conservation.

At the talks, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in tertiary education between the two governments was signed./.