Ho Chi Minh City Seeks Enhanced Collaboration with Kuwait

Ho Chi Minh City places great importance on enhancing cooperation with Kuwait, thereby contributing to the comprehensive and practical development of Vietnam-Kuwait relations in accordance with the needs and potential of both sides, as cited by Vice Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan at a ceremony organized by the Kuwaiti Consulate General on February 23 to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of Kuwait’s Independence Day and the 33rd anniversary of Liberation Day.

The achievements made by the Kuwaiti Government and people in recent times are greatly admired by the Vietnamese people, including the residents of Ho Chi Minh City, according to Hoan.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan and Consul General of Kuwait in Ho Chi Minh City Talal Alhazza cut the cake to congratulate at the celebration. Source: hcmcpv.org.vn

The official stressed that the strong friendship between the Vietnamese and Kuwaiti peoples, which has endured for nearly half a century since the two countries officially established diplomatic relations on January 10, 1976, is rooted in their shared understanding, desire for independence, freedom, peace, and a determination to thrive.

He stated that Kuwait is considered by Vietnam as one of its most important partners in the Middle East in general and the Gulf region in particular, as evidenced by Vietnam’s choice of Kuwait as the first country in the Gulf to open its embassy in 2023, laying the foundation for future development.

Hoan emphasized that based on the good relations between the two countries, Ho Chi Minh City aims to further enhance cooperation with Kuwait in the fields of trade, commerce, healthcare, education, tourism, heritage preservation, and the Halal industry.

He expressed confidence that the Consul General, a knowledgeable veteran diplomat familiar with Southeast Asia, will make significant contributions to the cooperative relationship between Ho Chi Minh City and Kuwait in general, and with Kuwaiti localities in particular, especially Al Ahmadi – a locality that has maintained friendly and cooperative ties with the City – in the near future.

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan speaks at the event. Photo: VNA

For his part, Kuwaiti Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Talal Alhazza emphasized that Kuwait – Vietnam relations have always been built on friendship, mutual respect, understanding, and solidarity between the two peoples. The strong relationship between the two countries has been continuously enhanced through mutual visits at all levels and the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements in various fields.

In recent years, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has played an active role in strengthening Kuwait-Vietnam bilateral relations by providing loans for infrastructure development projects in many rural and mountainous areas of Vietnam.

In addition, investment cooperation, trade promotion, and tourism activities initiated by the two countries’ agencies have created opportunities for future cooperation between their businesses. Kuwait is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and one of its leading trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching nearly USD 6 billion in 2023.

On this occasion, the Consul General called on Vietnamese entrepreneurs and businesses to continue investing in development projects in Kuwait, thereby promoting bilateral trade and strengthening trade and investment relations between Kuwait and Vietnam.

Kuwait has a population of about 4.33 million, with a per capita GDP of around USD 53,000. Kuwait’s merchandise exports are expected to reach USD 88.4 billion in 2024, accounting for 74.72% of its GDP. The volume of merchandise trade in Kuwait is projected to reach USD 123.6 billion in 2024.