The talks focused on deepening cooperation in sectors deemed vital to the two countries’ economic growth and diversification agendas, including renewable energy, logistics, manufacturing, technology and agriculture.
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, accompanied by the UAE Ambassador to Vietnam Dr Bader Abdullah Saeed bin Saeed Al Matroosi, also met with Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien to discuss how to expand non-oil trade between the two countries, which is expected to reach US$6.1 billion in the first half of 2024, growing by 9 percent and 34 percent compared to the same periods in 2023 and 2022, respectively, consolidating Vietnam’s position as a key trading partner of the UAE in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.
They also reviewed progress towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which if concluded and implemented will accelerate trade and investment flows by eliminating tariffs, streamlining customs procedures and improving market access for services exporters.
Al Zeyoudi also spoke about the far-reaching benefits of CEPA during his meetings with Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoang and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam, during which he discussed possible joint ventures and partnerships in these key sectors.
Following the visit, Al Zeyoudi expressed optimism about the future of UAE-Vietnam relations and the benefits of greater exchanges with the entire ASEAN community.