(VNF) - The Vietnam – Africa Friendship and Cooperation Association in coordination with Embassies of African countries in Vietnam recently held the conference on “Developing Micro, Small, Medium enterprises (MSMEs)”, aiming to reinforce the people-to-people exchange between Vietnam and countries of the South Africa Development Community (SADC).

Vice President of the Vietnam-Africa Friendship and Cooperation Association, Do Duc Dinh; Ambassadors and representatives of several African countries' Embassies in Hanoi; representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and enterprises who are partners of African countries attended the event on August 17.

Ambassador of Angola to Vietnam, Manuel Bernardo speaks at the conference. Photo: Q.V

Addressing the opening ceremony, Ambassador of Angola to Vietnam, João Manuel Bernardo briefed the audience on the history of SADC. Established in 1992 with 9 members (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zimbabwe), nowadays the number of members of SADC has increased to 15 nations, with the population of nearly 300 million. SADC was established with the purpose of consolidating the resources needed for the revolution to politically liberalize the whole region.

According to the Ambassador, the South African region holds vast potentials for development, especially the MSMEs group, which are yet to be fully tapped onto. The conference , therefore, is a valuable opportunity for relevant agencies and Vietnamese enterprises to meet up, exchange information and promote cooperation.

Speaking at the conference, Vice President of the Vietnam – Africa Friendship and Cooperation Association, Do Duc Dinh said, Vietnam is committed to being trusted friend and partner of all countries in the world. Vietnam has been putting great efforts in ensuring peace, independence and growth.

In the past years, Vietnam has placed emphasis on nurturing friendly relations with other countries, including African countries in general and countries in the South of Africa in particular.

In the later half of the 20^th century, Vietnam had been a relentless supporter for the fight for independence of the SADC, such as South Africa, Mozambique, and Angola. After the revolution gained victory, Vietnam continues to be trusted friends with SADC member nations.

Participants enquire Ambassadors. Photo: Q.V.

Regarding eople-to-people diplomacy, the establishment of the Association in November 2004 helps reinforce the friendship, mutual understanding and cultural exchange between the people of Vietnam and Africa.

In order to reinforce the friendly relations and cooperation between Vietnam and African countries, Dinh expressed his hope that the Embassies of countries of Southern Africa will enhance contacts with the Association, foster information sharings to promote the Association’s activities; introducing potential partners to expand the cooperation network; proposing initiatives to boost cooperation between Vietnam and SADC in areas, as perse as people-to-people exchange, economics – trade, culture, tourism and bring these cooperation to an in-depth level, tightening the relations of Vietnam and SADC.

According to Dinh, MSMEs plays a significant part in the development of Vietnam and many African countries. In Vietnam, they account for 95% of the enterprises. They not only produce products which meet with the increasing demand of consumers, but furthermore, driving the growth of the economy, boosting import-export, creating a number of new jobs, improving the income and well-being of the people, reducing burdens of the society and economy.

The Vice President also affirmed the Association’s commitment to fulfill its role in reinforcing the friendship, promoting economic ties, trade between Vietnam and SADC, as well as between Vietnam and Africa, especially in terms of MSMEs development.

Overview of the conference. Photo: Q.V.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of South Africa to Vietnam, Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro, spoke highly of the conference, as it was held on the 26^th anniversary of SADC.

The ambassador also hailed the experiences of Vietnam in developing SME, household enterprises, which will be beneficial for SADC countries.

He also promised to support the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) in linking up relevant agencies, organizations and MSMEs of two sides to conduct more successful joint projects.

At the conference, the delegates were also updated on investment policies, current situation of MSME from the Ministry of Planing and Investment of Vietnam, particularly Vietnam’s favorable policies for these group./.

( Translated by Phi Yen )