Saudi Arabia told to increase import of Vietnamese agricultural products

This suggestion was put forward during a reception hosted by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 17 in Hanoi for Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud.

The Vietnamese Government leader congratulated Saudi Arabia on its achievements in socio-economic development over recent years and stated how impressed he was at the great transformation made by the Middle Eastern nation after more than five years of realising the “2030 Vision” Plan.

He thanked the Government of Saudi Arabia and various humanitarian organisations for timely supporting the country with finance and medical equipment and supplies, thereby helping the nation to combat COVID-19 and improve living standards of people in disadvantaged areas.

With regard to political relations, PM Chinh proposed that both sides intensify the exchange of delegations and meetings between their leaders, whilst also stepping up co-operation between the two foreign ministries, as well as people-to-people and cross-cultural exchanges.

As part of the occasion, the Vietnamese Government chief reiterated his invitation to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

In terms of economic co-operation, PM Chinh requested that Saudi Arabia boost market expansion for Vietnamese products and share experience aimed at assisting Vietnam to access markets for goods and services according to Islamic Halal standards.

This should be done by creating favourable conditions for local firms to become involved in projects providing oil and gas services in Saudi Arabia, as well as exchanging information and sharing experience with Saudi partners in the fields of water desalination, energy, and industry, PM Chinh added.

Furthermore, the PM affirmed that competent Vietnamese agencies are poised to offer optimal conditions for investment funds and groups of Saudi Arabia as they seek investment co-operation opportunities in the country.

He proposed the Saudi National Development Fund increase the number of projects and the size of preferential capital for each project in order to help improve the lives of Vietnamese people residing in remote and isolated areas.

With regard to labour co-operation, the PM thanked Saudi Arabia for creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese citizens to live and work in over recent times, especially during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PM Chinh requested that Saudi Arabia increase the number of highly-skilled Vietnamese workers in the service sector, such as at restaurants, hotels, and in retail, and medical care, such as nurses and doctors.

He said that he hopes that competent Saudi Arabian agencies would take necessary measures aimed at ensuring the safety and legal rights of Vietnamese workers employed in Saudi Arabia.

On tourism co-operation, PM Chinh told his guest that Vietnam officially reopened tourism activities to welcome international travelers from March 15 after a temporary closure due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the country desires to welcome more Saudi tourists to the nation in the future.

On a multilateral level, PM Chinh suggested the two countries continue to co-ordinate and offer mutual support at regional and international forums, especially within the UN framework.

In response, Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud affirmed his nation’s recognition of importance to developing relations with the Vietnamese side and hailed Vietnam's socio-economic achievements.

Both sides boast great potential to further boost co-operation across multiple fields, especially in trade and investment, he continued.

The Saudi Arabian diplomat totally agreed with PM Chinh's proposals, considering it to be a roadmap to propel co-operation between the two countries forward.