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Chekou Oussouman, Chief Representative for the Asia-Pacific of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, gives an interview to the Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA)

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of International Francophonie Day on March 20, Oussouman, who took over the post last June, described Vietnam, an OIF member, as an important partner of the French-speaking economic community.

Talking about Vietnam’s economic ties with francophone countries in Africa, he said he has worked with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to seek ways to bolster trade and investment and also underlined the need to create the necessary conditions for young entrepreneurs in these countries to enhance mutual understanding and further grasp cooperative opportunities.

The OIF has held working sessions with Vietnamese partners like the Trade University, the Foreign Trade University, and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to quickly connect them with partners in Central and West Africa, including Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, and Cameroon, Vietnam Plus cited.

Chekou Oussouman (center) and other participants in a roundtable discussion held in Hanoi on November 4, 2020, on the occasion of the OIF's 50th founding anniversary (Photo: VNA)

The organization will also support decentralized cooperation between Vietnam and European nations that are OIF members, such as between certain French regions and Vietnamese provinces, so as to better capitalize on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), according to Oussouman.

In terms of education, he spoke highly of the Communist Party of Vietnam, at the recent 13th National Congress, identifying education and training in the digital era as one of the priorities for the years to come. The OIF will consolidate new forms of cooperation between partners, to create opportunities for Vietnamese students to study in Europe, Canada, or Africa and vice-versa, he noted, adding that it will also create the conditions for French-language teachers in Vietnam to engage in training in other francophone countries.

A festive activity held at the University of Languages and International Studies under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, on November 14, 2020 to mark the OIF's 50th founding anniversary (Photo: VNA)

He said the OIF is arranging a week-long trip to Vietnam by an economic, trade, and investment promotion delegation, with representatives from Europe, Canada, and Africa, to discuss economic issues, seek partnerships, and, possibly, sign agreements, VOV quoted.

During the interview, Oussouman spoke highly of Vietnam’s response to COVID-19 as well as its people’s trust in government decisions, adding he was impressed that the administration, military, police, civil society, young people, and every resource in society have all been mobilized to fight COVID-19. Applauding the solidarity Vietnam has shown in the fight, he stressed that many support programs and activities have been carried out to help disadvantaged people, with “rice ATMs” being a typical example. He also appreciated Vietnam’s support for other countries, as seen through its presentation of test kits, face masks, and many other goods.

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