Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Le Huy Hoang emphasized the tremendous potential for expanded multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in economics and trade.
In recent years, bilateral trade has grown considerably, with the 2013 value increasing 20-fold to US$1.2 billion, compared to just US$54 million in 2002, he added.
The ambassador expressed his hope that the event will help Vietnamese Pangasius make inroads into the South African market, contributing to the development of trade, and cooperation between the two countries.
He said the programme is part of economic-diplomacy activities to promote Vietnamese products in South Africa as well as other African countries, noting similar events will be held in other populous South African cities such as Cape Town and Durban in the coming time.
According to Nguyen Hong Tien, Trade Counsellor to South Africa, Vietnamese Pangasius has significant potential for penetrating the market. Currently, a number of South African enterprises are keen on the product thanks to their high quality and attractive price.
For her part, President of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry made a commitment to further strengthen cooperation with relevant Vietnamese agencies in order to create favourable conditions for South Africa to use more Vietnamese Pangasius products in the future.
(Source VOV)