Argentina keen to bolster ties with Vietnam

In a recent media exchange held in Hanoi, the diplomat stressed his country’s great satisfaction with its relationship with Vietnam, stating that Argentina hopes to upgrade the Comprehensive Partnership with Vietnam to a Strategic Partnership soon.

He hailed the increased exchange of delegations through the Party channel and between localities of the two countries over recent years, voicing his hope for more bilateral meetings ahead in 2025.

For trade co-operation, both sides have complementary economies. The Latin American country mainly exports input goods for the Vietnamese side’s industries. Meanwhile, Vietnam exports high-value-added commodities to Argentina, including phones, electronic devices, footwear, and textiles.

According to the diplomat, Vietnam represents Argentina's third-largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region, just behind China and India, whilst being the eighth biggest in the world. Over the  past 10 months, the South American nation exported goods worth US$2.76 billion to the Vietnamese market, up over 47% on-year.

In addition to trade exchanges, the two countries are in the process of collaborating on agricultural projects, including research on soybeans, rice, and tropical fruits, he said, adding that they have been negotiating an agreement on investment promotion and opening a market for new Argentinian products such as pork and tropical fruits.

Ambassador Bednarski revealed that a delegation of eight Argentine companies participated Vietnam Foodexpo 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City, expressing his hope that more businesses will show an interest in attending the event next year.

The diplomat went on to highlight the important partnership between the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) of Vietnam and a business of Argentina, which resulted in the Argentine firm beginning to purchase fiber optic cables from Vietnam for the Internet network in the Latin American country.

This is another example which serves to prove the benefits brought about by diversifying trade products and the high-value-added industrial products of Vietnam to Argentina, he stated.

Both sides are also negotiating a bilateral investment promotion agreement, with an agreement on double taxation avoidance and tariff reduction, which will provide more opportunities for businesses of both nations, he said.

Ambassador Bednarski pledged to step up co-operation with Vietnam in culture and sports, such as promoting and introducing Argentina's Malbec wine and Tango art in the Southeast Asian nation as a contribution to further tightening bilateral ties.