Vietnam is actively pursuing enhanced trade and investment collaborations with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Egypt, emphasizing the expansion of market access and the deepening of economic partnerships. Vietnamese Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân has advocated for the increased utilization of the Vietnam-EAEU Free Trade Agreement to boost bilateral trade and investment. She suggested exploring potential upgrades to the agreement and urged the EAEU to resolve trade barriers impacting Vietnamese products such as textiles, footwear, and rice.
Discussions between the parties included efforts to better coordinate trade data, speed up meetings of their joint committee, and expand the use of electronic certificates of origin. EAEU officials acknowledged that bilateral trade has nearly doubled, pointing to further growth opportunities. Xuân’s engagement with these topics underscores Vietnam’s strategic approach to strengthening economic ties within the region.
In a separate engagement with Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Hussein Mohamed Ahmed Eissa, Xuân emphasized the importance of stronger high-level exchanges and deeper economic cooperation between Vietnam and Egypt. She advocated for the advancement of a Vietnam-Egypt free trade agreement and identified key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, digital transformation, education, and renewable energy as ripe for expanded collaboration.
The interactions took place in Bishkek during Vietnam’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus Summit. This summit represents a strategic moment for Hanoi as it seeks to bolster economic and diplomatic relationships with regional partners. Through these meetings, Vietnam aims to solidify its position and influence in the region, leveraging existing agreements and exploring new avenues for cooperation.