NBBTF President Leads NAASEME Summit Team to Vietnam Embassy in Abuja
Oru Leonard
A groundbreaking meeting took place on September 23, 2024, at the Embassy of Vietnam in Abuja, marking a significant step towards fostering economic cooperation and knowledge sharing between Nigeria and Vietnam. His Excellency Bui Quoc Hung, the Ambassador of Vietnam, warmly received a delegation led by the alternate chairman of the Inter-ministerial Committee and Global President of the Nigeria Bangladesh Business and Technology Forum (NBBTF), Arc Bob Achanya.
The meeting aimed to discuss the upcoming pre-event visit to Vietnam, scheduled for September 29 to October 11, 2024, which seeks to understudy the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) ecosystem in Vietnam. This visit is in preparation for the SMEs Exhibition in Nigeria, set to take place in November 2024.
During the meeting, Ambassador Hung shared valuable insights into Vietnam’s history, culture, climate, business environment, and reciprocal opportunities available to Vietnam and Nigeria. He expressed regret over the limited investments and business collaborations between the two countries, emphasizing that this initiative could mark the beginning of improved bilateral engagement.
Key areas discussed included:
– Exhibition: A platform for SMEs to showcase products and services
– Business Matching & Market Linkage: Opportunities for business-to-business connections
– Business Clinics/Business Advisory: Expert advice and guidance for SMEs
– Industry Days: Sector-specific discussions and networking
– Talent Exhibition: Showcasing innovative ideas and skills.
The Ambassador reiterated Vietnam’s willingness to deepen trade relations, which have been expanding slowly despite 50 years of bilateral relations established since 2006. He confirmed Vietnam’s participation in upcoming events in Nigeria, such as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized Expo, from September 26 to 28, 2024.
To ensure a successful event, the Ambassador urged prompt determination of the delegation list, itinerary, and early visa requests. He also emphasized the importance of synergy with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for seamless facilitation of government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) arrangements.
The meeting concluded with the Ambassador promising to support the visit and promote the event in Hanoi, followed by a photo session at 4 pm. This significant meeting paves the way for a successful SME exhibition in Nigeria, fostering economic growth, innovation, and collaboration between Nigeria and Vietnam.
