Vietnam has expressed readiness to deepen economic cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in agriculture, digital transformation, telecommunications, trade and investment, as both countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Nigeria, Le Viet Hoang, said the country is prepared to share its experience in high-tech agriculture, rice production and value chains, aquaculture and agro-processing to support Nigeria’s food security efforts.
The Ambassador spoke in Abuja at a reception marking Vietnam’s 81st National Day and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Vietnam.
Hoang said the two countries, despite being geographically distant, share similarities in their histories of national liberation, resilience and aspirations for economic development.
He described Nigeria as one of Vietnam’s largest trading partners in Africa and said there was significant room to expand bilateral trade and investment.
According to him, Nigerian cashew nuts, timber and liquefied natural gas are among the commodities supplied to Vietnam, while Vietnamese rice, consumer goods, textiles and technology are increasingly present in the Nigerian market.
The Ambassador also identified telecommunications infrastructure, innovation, e-commerce and financial technology as areas where both countries could expand cooperation.
He encouraged Nigerian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam, while assuring that the Vietnamese Embassy would continue to serve as a bridge for Vietnamese companies seeking opportunities in Nigeria.
On people-to-people relations, Hoang called for stronger cooperation in education, tourism, sports and the arts, saying greater interaction would deepen mutual understanding between both countries.
The Nigerian government, in its response, said it is committed to strengthening the partnership and increasing bilateral trade.
Chief of Party to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wakil Babagana, said Nigeria and Vietnam currently have a trade relationship worth more than one billion dollars, expressing hope that it could be increased to two billion dollars.
He added that five decades of diplomatic relations had produced steady cooperation between both countries in areas including agriculture, trade and investment, defence and multilateral diplomacy.
Babagana identified agriculture, renewable energy, the digital economy, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and skills development as areas where both countries could further expand cooperation.
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976.
The event also brought together diplomats, government officials, business leaders and members of the Vietnamese community.