Nguyen Van Tich (center), chairman of the Vietnam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association speaks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Luan

Promoting economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Chile

According to the report reviewing the work in 2022 and the direction for 2023 of the Vietnam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association (VCFCA), in 2022, despite many limitations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Association has participated in the joint activities of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.

The Association has promoted its initiative in partnership with the Chilean Embassy in Vietnam, supported the reward for foreigners, and coordinated with other people's organizations.

Speaking at the conference, Nguyen Van Tich, chairman of the Vietnam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association, suggested that the delegates focus on discussing what the Association has done and failed to do in 2022, proposing the direction in 2023.

The focus of the Association's work in 2023 is primarily on the establishment of the Vietnam-Chile Business Council as a legal entity under the Association.

According to Nguyen Van Tich, this is a matter of concern for many years of the Association's leaders. The Association wants to act as a bridge to promote economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Chile, introduce investment opportunities for businesses of the two countries.

In February 2023, the new Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam will come to Vietnam.

The Association will work with the new Ambassador to improve the cooperation between the Association and the Chilean Embassy, discuss initiatives on people-to-people diplomacy between Vietnam and Chile.

The Association will continue to introduce the image of the country, people and culture of Chile through the media, libraries and exhibitions.

The Vietnam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association will support the establishment of new friendship associations in Latin America such as the Vietnam-Argentina Friendship Association and the Vietnam-Mexico Friendship Association. This is to contribute to the development of Vietnam's diplomacy in this area.

Researching and expanding the network of new members and partners will also be a highlight of the Association's work in 2023 and the following years.

At the conference, the delegates gave additional comments on the draft report on the work in 2022 and the focus in 2023. They emphasized the strengthening of economic-trade, culture-art, education-training, tourism, exchange between Vietnam and Chile.

Tran Nhat Hoang (center), vice chairman of Vietnam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association speaks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Luan

According to Tran Nhat Hoang, vice chairman of Vietnam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association, culture-tourism can help countries easily exchange and cooperate with each other.

Hoang said that it is necessary to promote the Vietnam-Chile friendship through organizing cultural activities at low cost such as talks and introduction of authors and works. That promotes the culture, country and people of the two countries.

He said that the establishment of the Vietnam-Chile Business Council has many advantages when the two countries have signed a bilateral free trade agreement and both are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Trade turnover between the two countries in the first nine months of 2022 reached US$1.72 billion, of which Vietnam's exports reached US$1.38 billion, up 11.8% over the same period last year. Vietnam continues to be Chile's largest trading partner in ASEAN.

Through the Chile market, Vietnamese enterprises can expand their businesses to Latin American countries; make good use of the role of Chile as the logistics center in South America to reduce transportation costs and time for Vietnamese goods to enter this regional market.

Therefore, the Vietnam-Chile Friendship and Cooperation Association can call on businesses wishing to invest in Latin America and Chile particularly to join the Association.

Bui Van Nghi, head of the America Department (Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations) said that the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Chile has been continuously consolidated and developed in many fields.

In addition to strengthening people-to-people exchanges and friendship activities, it is necessary to promote economic cooperation in the coming time.

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