Seeking to expand trade with Middle Eastern and African countries

Provincial leaders awarded investment registration certificates to foreign-invested enterprises in January 2025. Photo: N. Lien

However, in addition to the achieved results, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and countries in the two regions above still faces many difficulties. Many untapped development opportunities need to be opened up and developed together in the coming time.

Lack of legal corridor to promote investment

According to economic experts, the Middle East and Africa are large markets with great potential for exploitation and development in many economic sectors. Currently, there is still a lot of room for exploitation and development of trade relations between the two sides in terms of import and export goods. Therefore, in order to promote the export of key Vietnamese products, including products with Halal certification (certification of products according to Islamic standards), Vietnam as well as countries in the two regions all wish to strengthen the development of relationships in the fields of: trade transactions, logistics, production materials, etc.

By the end of April 2025, Dong Nai had 2 projects invested by Middle Eastern countries with a capital of over 5.3 million USD (Afghanistan: 1 project and UAE: 1 project). Dong Nai currently has 40 projects from Africa with a capital of over 3.6 million USD (Ghana: 1 project; Mahe Republic Seychelles: 35 projects; Mauritius: 4 projects). Dong Nai has 24 enterprises with Halal certification.

At the Conference to review the Project on Developing Relations between Vietnam and Middle Eastern and African Countries for the 2016-2025 period, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade on May 20, delegates commented that despite many positive results, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and countries in the region still faces many difficulties, especially the lack of a legal corridor for economic cooperation and agreements to protect investment such as the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation; Agreement on Encouragement and Protection of Investment... This shows that the preparation of resources for cooperation with Middle Eastern and African countries is still limited; conditions for infrastructure, logistics, transportation, and payment are still lacking...

A representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that currently, the network of embassies and foreign trade offices of Vietnam in the Middle East and Africa is still quite thin, not meeting the needs of connecting, learning and trading with these countries. Therefore, many businesses want Vietnam to have embassies in these countries, creating conditions for connecting the markets of these countries with Vietnamese businesses.

According to the representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, to develop into the Middle East and African markets, Vietnam needs to identify key markets; look for markets with much room for both export and import. Propose to upgrade and upgrade relationships, open more representative offices. Sign trade agreements, especially with potential markets such as Morocco, Nigeria and with member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE)...

Finding opportunities for Dong Nai

In recent times, Dong Nai has always promoted cooperation with Middle Eastern and African countries. Every year, Dong Nai implements the Project to Enhance International Cooperation to build and develop Vietnam's Halal industry by 2030 in Dong Nai province.

Up to now, Dong Nai province has signed 2 memorandums of understanding and cooperation agreements with partners in the Middle East - Africa region. In addition, the Provincial People's Committee always pays attention to and participates in events organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs such as: Online seminar on Cashew trade cooperation with Africa and solutions to ensure the supply of raw cashew nuts for Vietnam; Seminar on Promoting agricultural products at Vietnamese representative agencies in Africa; Mid-term review conference on the Project on Developing Relations between Vietnam and the Middle East - Africa for the period 2016-2025; Conference on Strengthening Investment Cooperation between Vietnam and the Middle East: Opportunities, Potentials and New Approaches.

Deputy Chief of the Provincial People's Committee Office Nguyen Viet Thang said that in the coming time, Dong Nai province will continue to focus on effectively implementing the dual goals of the Government and proactively and actively promoting international economic cooperation with foreign localities in depth and substance.

Mr. Thang shared that one of the biggest difficulties in exporting products to the Middle East - Africa market is meeting Halal standards. Therefore, export enterprises in the province have concerns in investing in production and trading products in the Middle East - Africa market.

In recent times, the implementation of programs and projects in various fields in Dong Nai by Middle Eastern - African partners has been limited and not commensurate with the province's potential.
Dong Nai

Ngoc Lien

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202505/tim-cach-mo-rong-giao-thuong-voi-cac-nuoc-trung-dongva-chau-phi-c1a65c3/