Ho Chi Minh City Looks to Foster Cooperation with Kuwait

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Ngo Minh Chau speaks at the reception held by the Consulate General of Kuwait in HCM City on February 24. Photo: SGGPO

On the evening of February 24, the Consulate General of Kuwait in Ho Chi Minh City held a reception on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the National Day of Kuwait and the 32nd anniversary of Liberation Day.

Delivering congratulatory remarks at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of HCM City People’s Committee Ngo Minh Chau was pleased to see that over the past 47 years, the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Kuwait has been continuously consolidated and grown stronger on the basis of mutual understanding and trust, for the peace and development of the two peoples.

In addition to the good political relations, the friendly cooperation between the two countries in fields such as economy, education and training has been increasingly expanded, meeting the needs and aspirations of the two peoples. while promoting the strengths and potentials of both sides. On that basis, HCM City wishes to further strengthen the implementation of cooperation programs with Kuwait, especially in the field of smart city construction.

Acting Consul General of Kuwait in HCM City Ali Alsaihan affirmed that bilateral economic cooperation and trade exchanges play an important role in bridging the geographical gap between the two peoples. Despite being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, bilateral trade has continuously increased year by year with impressive growth figures, reaching over USD 3.23 billion in 2020, over USD 4.78 billion in 2021 and more than USD 6.64 billion in 2022.

According to the diplomat, recently, the Kuwait market has increased its focus on export products from Vietnam, specifically in areas such as agriculture, textiles and wood products, besides products. electrical and electronic products.

In particular, cooperation in the field of oil and gas continues to be an important factor in the strategic relationship between Kuwait and Vietnam, notably the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Project which was officially put into operation in November 2018, making Kuwait one of the largest trading partners of Vietnam in the Middle East.

Vice Chairman of HCM City People’s Committee Ngo Minh Chau and Acting Consul General of Kuwait in HCM City, Ali Alsaihan cut the cake at the ceremony. Photo: SGGPO

Recognizing the importance of education, the Consulate General of Kuwait has supported the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in HCM City (under Vietnam National University in HCM City) in establishing the first Arab Studies Department at the school, participating in organize activities related to the teaching of the Arabic language and support students to participate in cultural programs.

Ali Alsaihan said that participating in cultural activities is important in catching the exchange bridge between the two peoples, so the Consulate always actively participates in activities organized by the People’s Committee of HCM City.

In addition, according to the Acting Consul General of Kuwait, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development plays an active role in strengthening bilateral relations between Kuwait and Vietnam by providing loans for development projects. infrastructure in Vietnam.

Alsaihan expressed his belief that the successes and cooperation achieved in the past time under the leadership of the Governments of the two countries is an important basis for continuing to reap achievements in the coming years, contributing to contributing to the success of the bilateral trade for the future progress of relations between the two countries.

Kuwait is one of the first countries in the Middle East and also the first country in the Gulf region to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam right after the Southeast Asian nation was reunified in 1975. And, Vietnam opened its first Embassy in the Gulf region in Kuwait in 2003, and in 2007 Kuwait also opened its Embassy in Hanoi and Consulate General in HCM City.

The year 2023 marks the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In Hanoi, the Kuwaiti Embassy also held a reception with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions, businesses and international friends in Hanoi on the occasion of the 62nd National Day, 32nd anniversary of Liberation Day and 47 years of establishing diplomatic relations with Vietnam.