PRETORIA — Viet Nam hopes to increase the exchange of economic information with South Africa and enhance connectivity between businesses of the two countries, the Vietnamese ambassador to South Africa has said.

Ambassador Vu Van Dung held a meeting with leaders of South Africa’s Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Monday to discuss issues related to cooperation between Viet Nam and South Africa as well as the embassy and the DCCI. 

The Vietnamese diplomat believed Viet Nam and South Africa -- a large economy of Africa and the world -- hold great potential for stronger trade cooperation, with two-way trade reaching only US$1.2 billion in 2016. 

Viet Nam will host APEC Year 2017, with some 200 activities, and APEC High-level Week at the end of the year, which is a good opportunity for enterprises from Durban and South to reinforce connections with their partners in the Asia-Pacific region, he said. 

Dao Manh Duc, head of the Vietnamese Embassy’s office for trade affairs, said although Vietnamese products are suitable for the South African market, they are not as popular among South African consumers and businesses due to a lack of information and inadequate business exchange channels. 

Meanwhile, South Africa’s main products, such as beef, fruits, wine and mineral products, have yet to successfully enter the Vietnamese market, Duc said. 

He also asked the DCCI to enhance the sharing of information and partnership opportunities through trade promotion events hosted by the DCCI and increase meetings between trade delegations of both sides. 

Alta Keyter, DCCI director for marketing and communications, said in future, the DCCI would promptly update information about Viet Nam’s goods, tourism and trade fairs and exhibitions in its news bulletins, in addition to actively exchanging information with the Vietnamese Embassy to provide South African businesses with opportunities to study the market, products and tourism of Viet Nam. 

Durban is the largest port city in South Africa and a major container port of the southern hemisphere. It is an economic hub of South Africa with diverse sectors, including production, tourism, transportation, finance and import-export activities. With a long coastline, vast beaches, warm weather and unique culture, the locality is also an attractive tourist destination. 

The DCCI was established in 1856, grouping over 2,800 firms. It is one of the largest and most prestigious commerce and industry chambers of South Africa. — VNA