On August 14, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam chaired a seminar to promote cooperation between Hue city, Dien Bien province and Tay Ninh province with Australian partners.

According to a VNA reporter in Sydney, in order to create opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to promote and introduce products, connect with Australian partners, and survey the market, grasp tastes and business trends in this Oceanian country and vice versa, on August 14, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam chaired a seminar to promote cooperation between Hue city, Dien Bien province and Tay Ninh province with Australian partners.

Attending the seminar were the Consul General of Vietnam in charge of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung; Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, Ms. Tran Thi Thanh My; Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee, Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong; Chairman of Dien Bien Provincial People’s Council, Mr. Lo Van Phuong; Vice Chairman of Tay Ninh Provincial People’s Committee, Mr. Nguyen Minh Lam; Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, Mr. Nguyen Dong Trung; former Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Andrew Goledzinowski; Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Investment Transactions Group under the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Ms. Alana Kunz; and representatives of many businesses of the two countries such as Thanh Thanh Cong Tay Ninh Sugarcane Company, Saigon-Hue Investment Joint Stock Company, Phuong Nam Panel Company, Chandoline Construction Company, Sapphire Links Global Company and Pistis Group Company (Australia)…

In his opening remarks, Consul General Nguyen Thanh Tung stated that the seminar was a clear demonstration of the importance of local diplomacy – a direct, flexible and effective channel connecting the strengths of each Vietnamese locality with international partners. In the context of deep international integration, local diplomacy not only expands the market and attracts investment, but also brings about specific cooperation projects related to the cooperation needs of each party.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung affirmed that as a bridge for cooperation between localities of Vietnam and Australia, within its functions and tasks, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney is committed to providing maximum support to connect Australian partners with localities of Vietnam in areas of mutual interest, creating conditions for cooperation ideas to soon become specific projects, bringing practical benefits to both sides.

Consul General Nguyen Thanh Tung expressed his belief that, with the determination and goodwill of both sides, and the support of diplomatic missions, the cooperative relationship between Vietnamese localities and Australian partners, especially in the state of New South Wales, will continue to develop substantially, sustainably and effectively, contributing positively to the common prosperity as well as to the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Speaking at the seminar, former Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski said that Australia and Vietnam are each other’s major trade partners. With trade between the two countries growing, he believes that in the future, two-way trade, export and investment turnover will continue to increase.
Commenting that Vietnam is a rapidly developing country, former Ambassador Goledzinowski said he highly appreciates the importance of investing in Vietnam, especially in key sectors such as technology, education, agriculture, energy, etc. He predicted that in the next few years, Vietnam could replace India as a place to attract information technology companies.

At the seminar, leaders of Hue city, Dien Bien province and Tay Ninh province introduced their strengths and capabilities, explored cooperation opportunities with Australian partners, considering this a platform for networking, knowledge exchange and highlighting the increasing importance of Vietnam in the context of globalization. Meanwhile, representatives of businesses from the three localities also introduced their businesses as well as the need to cooperate with partners from the “Kangaroo Country”.
On the side of representatives of Australian organizations and businesses, after listening and watching short videos introducing the development potential and advantages of Hue city, Dien Bien province and Tay Ninh province of Vietnam, many delegates highly appreciated the position, role and development of Vietnam in general and the localities in particular.

Ms. Alana Kunz – in charge of finding strategic investment opportunities connecting investors with partners and promoting Australia’s participation in high-potential areas in Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam – affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Australia in terms of politics, geography and trade. The two countries have a close, long-standing relationship in many areas such as security, economy, culture, tourism…, and in the future can continue to promote strong cooperation in the fields of energy and many other industries. She believes that the seminar is a good opportunity for Australian businesses to meet and exchange with local leaders of Vietnam to bring bilateral investment and cooperation to new heights.

In an interview with a VNA reporter in Sydney, Mr. Serge Popovic – Director of C-Coat Insulation Australia Pty Ltd. – expressed his impression of the potential and strengths of Vietnamese localities. He affirmed that Australia and Vietnam have many things in common that can be used to cooperate to enhance friendship and improve business relations. Assessing Vietnam as the center of Southeast Asia in the distribution and production of goods, he expressed his special affection for the “S-shaped country”, and expressed his interest in Vietnam’s energy market and energy saving issues.

Possessing special products that help save energy such as providing special insulation coatings on walls, roofs or industrial pipes to save energy, Mr. Popovic expressed his wish that his company will support Vietnamese businesses and people to improve energy issues by increasing its presence in the Vietnamese market and cooperating with some local partners at the right time to open a factory.

Appreciating the significance and importance of the forum in promoting cooperation between businesses of the two countries, Mr. Nigel Palmer – Senior Policy Director in charge of skills and education of Business New South Wales – said that the world is experiencing a new context with many opportunities. Australia and Vietnam have a tradition of cooperation in the field of education through university linkage programs and now is the time for the two countries to expand cooperation not only in education and training but also in science and innovation. This is truly a great opportunity.

Many international visitors, especially Australians, when visiting Vietnam’s major cities feel the vitality and impressive prospects of this Southeast Asian country. For Australia, Vietnam is truly an attractive place to connect with friends, colleagues and look forward to future opportunities.

At the end of the seminar, under the witness of the delegates, a cooperation agreement signing ceremony took place between Phuong Nam Panel Company and Pistis Group Company (Australia).

Source: Tin Tuc Newspaper