The Aba Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA) has proposed a stronger business relationship with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Eleanya Okoroji, president, ACCIMA, who made the proposal at the “Chamber’s Embassy Lecture series,” held recently in Aba, observed that such a relationship would in no small measure establish an enviable and strong economic tie between the chamber, Abia State and the country at large.
He explained that Aba has great economic potentials in shoe production, garments and allied products, which have enabled it to host world personalities, including the former president of the World Bank, J.D. Wolfensehn and solicited for a trade mission to Vietnam to enable its members to exchange ideas with their Vietnamese counterparts.
He also solicited for easy visas to its members and exchange of training programmes for both countries, particularly, in the areas of business information and technology.
Hoang Ngoc Ho, Vietnamese ambassador to Nigeria in his lecture stated that Nigeria and Vietnam have maintained a long standing cordial bilateral relationship, especially in politics, but noted that the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries have not been developed.
Consequently, he solicited for a stronger economic and trade cooperation between his country and Nigeria.
He advocated that the two countries should strengthen their economic and trade cooperation, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, pharmaceutical, textile and services.
In his words, “For the last five years, despite having been significantly improved with the growth of over 30 percent annually, the trade volume between our two countries was only about $200million, which is still below our expectation.”
According to him, the trade volume between the two countries does not reflect the real potentials as well as the will and wishes of the leadership of our two countries towards strengthening economic and trade ties between Vietnam and Nigeria.
“With the purpose of enhancing trade and economic ties between our two countries and with Abia State in particular, we are here today to work with you for the best and better comprehensive cooperation in agriculture, commerce and trading, mining, education support, healthcare and services,” he promised.
GODFREY OFURUM
