Vietnam wants to boost trade with Southern Common Market: PM
PM Pham Minh Chinh urged the Brazilian Government and business community to advocate for the Vietnam-MERCOSUR FTA, as well as the two countries’ agreements on trade, investment, labour, visas, and double taxation avoidance.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Renato Costa, CEO of Friboi under Brazil’s JBS S.A. in Hanoi on February 13. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) –🔯 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for accelerating negotiations toward the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) while receiving Renato Costa, CEO of Friboi under Brazil’s JBS S.A. – one of the world’s largest meat processing companies operating in 24 countries, including Vietnam.
At the reception in Hanoi on February 13 which also saw the attendance of Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam, the Government leader underscored the need to step up trade and investment cooperation to match the potential of both countries and translate into reality their strategic partnership, which was established in November 2024.
Amid shifting global trade dynamics and economic uncertainties, PM Chinh recommended the two sides to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including in sectors of interest to JBS S.A. He urged the Brazilian Government and business community to advocate for the Vietnam-MERCOSUR FTA, as well as the two countries’ agreements on trade, investment, labour, visas, and double taxation avoidance. Additionally, he called on Brazil to recognise Vietnam’s market economy status, paving the way for balanced trade and stronger business ties.
The PM encouraged JBS S.A. to expand its operations in Vietnam, particularly in livestock farming, meat processing, industrial crops, and coffee processing. He also suggested collaboration in the diversification of markets, products, and supply chains. Furthermore, the leader invited JBS S.A. to help connect other Brazilian enterprises with Vietnam partners to foster partnership and investment.
Informing his guests on Vietnam’s interest in deepening cooperation with Brazil in the mineral sector, PM Chinh affirmed the country readiness to serve as a gateway for Brazilian businesses seeking to enter Southeast Asian and its other FTA-linked markets. He also pledged favourable conditions for JBS S.A.’s operations in Vietnam, ensuring mutual benefits and shared risks.
For his part, Costa noted that his visit aimed to explore investment and business opportunities in Vietnam toward catering to its demand, given the country’s strong economic growth and potential.
He expressed JBS S.A.’s commitment to expanding cooperation and urged the Vietnamese Government to continue supporting its business ventures.
Costa also reaffirmed the company’s promise to strengthen business ties between Vietnam and Brazil in line with the PM’s recommendations./.
During his trip to Brazil from November 16-19 for the G20 Summit and bilateral engagements, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The two leaders agreed to elevate the Vietnam-Brazil bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership and issue a joint statement on the upgrade of the ties.
Some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have become important trade partners of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), and Vietnam is a typical example, an Argentinian expert has said.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is taking measures to promote the negotiations of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Southern Common Market (Mercosur - including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay), which is expected to be a driving force for Vietnam to tap the Latin American market.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
