The forum is among a series of events held within the framework of a visit by the Economic and Commercial Mission of La Francophonie (MECA) from March 21 – 30. (Photo: VNA)The forum is among a series of events held within the framework of a visit by the Economic andCommercial Mission of La Francophonie (MECA) fromMarch 21 – 30.
Duong Anh Duc, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’sCommittee, stressed that there are substantial business and investmentopportunities in the southern economic hub, and the city can serve as a launchpad for businesses of the OIF to join regional and global supply chains.
He pointed out that OIF enterprises can exploit opportunities brought about by free trade agreements that Vietnam is a member, such as the EU-Vietnam FTA, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Hoang Quang Phong, Standing Vice Chairman of the VCCI,said Vietnam and other OIF member countries have complementary conditions todevelop together.
Vietnam possesses necessary conditions to help enhance the connectivity withinthe organisation and form a closed-loop supply-consumption chain, spreading fromAfrica to Europe and North America. Meanwhile, the Francophone economic spaceoffers a big market for the Southeast Asian nation.
Vietnam has set up trade ties with 44 out of 54OIF member countries. Sixteen OIF countries are running investment projects inVietnam. A number of state-run groups and private firms of Vietnam have alsoinvested in Africa, mainly in oil and gas, telecommunications, hydroelectricityand wood processing.
OIF General Secretary Louise Mushikiwabo emphasisedthat the presence of representatives from 25 OIF member countries at the forumhas reflected their expectations for cooperation opportunities in Vietnam.
Lauding Vietnam’s dynamism, she said the country offers many opportunities for foreign businesses and investors, which has been highlyvalued by OIF businesses.
The visit to Vietnam by the Francophone delegation ispart of the efforts to implement the Francophone Economic Development Strategyfrom 2020 – 2025.
Founded in 1970, the OIF now has 88 member states andobservers. Together they account for 16 percent of the global population and16.5 percent of the world’s total assets.
Since becoming an OIF member in 1979, Vietnam has consistentlystrengthened partnership with the Francophone community and been an active andcore member of the organisation in Asia-Pacific. It hosted the FrancophoneSummit in 1997.
Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Thi Hoang Mai was appointedas head of the Francophone representative office in West Africa last year. Sheis the first Asian to head a regional OIF office overseas./.
VNA
