Image of SADC Member States (Source: uneca.org)Hanoi (VNA) – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) forum opened in Hanoi on August 17 to mark the 36th founding anniversary of the community.
Jointly held by the Vietnam-Africa Friendship and Cooperation Association (VAFCA) and embassies of the SADC member countries, the event drew the participation of representatives from embassies of other African countries in Vietnam and leaders of the VAFCA.
Speaking at the event, chairman of the VAFCA Le Duong Quang said the 15-member SADC, with a population of nearly 280 million people, has not only created a big market within the bloc, but also contributed to the progress of each individual member country and the whole region in general.
Cooperative relations between Vietnam and SADC have gained remarkable outcomes, but collaboration in the fields of economy, trade and investment, have not met their full potential, Quang added.
Mozambique’s Ambassador to Vietnam Gamiliel Munguambe said the forum offered a good chance to review experiences in trade and investment cooperation between the two sides, hoping that both local and SADC enterprises will find more business opportunities.
Delegates at the event also discussed measures to intensify the partnership between Vietnam and SADC, including continuing to boost information exchanges and seeking support from member countries’ governments, as well as foreign affairs authorities to extricate difficulties and create favourable investment climate for enterprises.
Multilateral relationships and trade among Vietnam and African countries have been bolstered in many areas in recent years. Vietnamese enterprises have effectively cooperated with many of SADC’s members in the areas of oil and gas, telecommunications, agriculture, minerals and processing industries.-VNA
