Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ (left) and Deputy President of South Africa David Mabuza speak at a press conference on Monday. VNA/VNS Photo Phi Hùng

PRETORIA — Việt Nam wants to enhance co-operation with South Africa, Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ has said.

He made the statement at a meeting with Deputy President of South Africa David Mabuza on Monday.

Hue proposed the two countries quickly wrap up negotiations for legal frameworks for collaboration in mining, agriculture and aviation.

He also urged enhancing the role and efficiency of bilateral co-operative mechanisms such as the intergovernmental partnership forum, the joint trade committee and the defence dialogue.
He said Việt Nam wants to expand ties with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU), as well as their member countries. At the same time, Việt Nam is willing to work as a bridge for South Africa to enhance ties with ASEAN.
The Vietnamese Deputy PM asked the South African government to help address problems regarding payment methods and consider allowing Vietnamese banks to open branches in the country, facilitating investment and business activities of Vietnamese firms in South Africa.   
The South African Deputy President agreed to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese investors to do business in his country, and suggested promoting bilateral co-operation in defence-security, environmental protection and wildlife conservation.         

Deputy PM Huệ and a Government delegation of Việt Nam paid a working visit to South Africa from November 3-5, as part of their trip to Africa.
During the visit, Hue also had a working session with Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC) Elias Sekgobelo Ace Magashule.

The Vietnamese Deputy PM informed his host on Việt Nam’s socio-economic situation and expressed the country’s interest in promoting co-operation with South Africa, the only African country that has a partnership for co-operation and development with Việt Nam.
The ANC Secretary General told Huệ he would visit Việt Nam in December to promote solidarity with the Vietnamese Party, exchange experience in party building work and encourage international integration.
He also attended a Viet Nam-South Africa business and investment talk, visited the Vietnamese Embassy and met with representatives from the Vietnamese community in South Africa.
Addressing the Viet Nam-South Africa business and investment talk which attracted 120 local companies, Deputy PM Huệ said trade between Việt Nam and South Africa, at US$1 billion, was still very modest.   
Therefore, the two sides need to take measures to bolster bilateral trade, with their businesses playing the leading role, he said, adding that the two Governments should also remove difficulties and complete the legal framework for economic co-operation. — VNS