Hà Nội seeks stronger cooperation with Chile

Vietnamese delegates and their Chilean counterparts discuss a ceramic product on August 16— VNA/VNS Photo

BUENOS AIRES — A delegation of Hà Nội led by Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Council Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn paid a working trip to Chile from August 16-18 to beef up the cooperation between Hà Nội and Chile’s localities as well as between Việt Nam and Chile.

At a meeting with President of the Communist Party of Chile Lautaro Carmona in Santiago, Tuấn expressed his gratitude for the international solidarity that the Chilean party and people gave to Việt Nam during its national defence and construction.

He hoped that the two sides will strengthen experience sharing in Party building, and help to boost investment, trade, tourism and cultural exchange cooperation activities between Hà Nội and Chilean localities.

Carmona, who actively participated in protests against the war in Việt Nam, expressed his respect for President Hồ Chí Minh, the great leader of the Vietnamese people, and emphasised that the Communist Party of Chile always supports and follows the development process of Việt Nam under the leadership of the Communist Party of Việt Nam.

He also informed the guests about preparations for the 27th national congress of the Chilean Communist Party, scheduled to be held in December this year.

Within the framework of the Hà Nội delegation’s visit to Chile, an event was held to promote trade, investment and business connections between Hà Nội and South American country.

Speaking at the event, the Hà Nội official emphasised the significance of the signing of the Việt Nam – Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on November 11, 2011 which opened up great opportunities for businesses of the two countries.

He introduced the favourable investment environment of Việt Nam, as well as of Hà Nội, to foreign businesses and investors.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Phạm Trường Giang said that Việt Nam is currently Chile’s fifth largest trading partner in Asia, and the largest trading partner in ASEAN. Meanwhile, in Latin America, Chile is Việt Nam’s fourth largest trading partner, after Brazil, Mexico and Argentina.

Since the Việt Nam-Chile FTA was ratified and officially took effect in 2014, import-export turnover between the two countries has grown significantly, reaching a record of US$2.2 billion in 2022, double that of 2018. Bilateral trade stood at $1.57 billion in 2023, of which Việt Nam’s exports were valued at nearly $1.2 billion.

In 2024, their trade exchanges showed signs of recovery with trade turnover reaching $756.1 million in the first five months of the year, up 8.5 per cent year on year. During the period, Việt Nam’s exports to Chile increased by 23 per cent, reaching $615.27 million. — VNS