“Iran has set a new vision which focuses on Asia and especially ASEAN
while Vietnam is a member of this regional organisation. Iranian leaders
also pay special attention to Vietnam and its achievements in national
development. It is proposed that Iran and Vietnam can be two wings of
the economic-political belt in Asia which can be a gateway for expansion
of trade and distribution of goods for each other,” said Hossein
Alvandi Behineh, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Vietnam,
in an interview with Vietnam Business Forum.
* Could you please tell us about highlights in the cooperation between the two countries?
First of all, I would like to express my deepest thanks to Vietnam
Business Forum Magazine of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(VCCI) for kindly interviewing me on the occasion of the summit on the
cooperation between Vietnam, the Middle East and North Africa on 4-5
November, 2013. Also, I would like to appreciate Vietnam Government’s
efforts in organizing such a significant event to further boost and
tighten the cooperation between Vietnam, the Middle East and North
Africa.
As we know, Iran – Vietnam relationship has
experienced a forty-year path. We have successfully celebrated the 40th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Vietnam and Iran in 2013. In the past four decades, both countries have
enjoyed a close cooperation and cordial traditional ties based on mutual
respect and understanding. Exchange of many high-ranking visits has
taken place so far and a great number of agreements, memoranda of
understanding have been signed to strengthen our bilateral relations
which reflect the desire of the leaders and peoples of our two
countries.
Recently, official visits of Mr.
Ahmadinejad, ex- Iranian president, Tehran’s Mayor and Minister of
Industry, Mine and Trade to Vietnam, and reciprocally visits of the
Foreign Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister and the Chairman of the
National Defense and Security Committee of National Assembly of Vietnam
to Iran have been taken place. Presidents of two countries in the
meeting in Hanoi in 2012 and recently by exchanging of letters
emphasised the desire and determination to promote the bilateral
relationship and cooperation on the different areas such as culture,
politics, education, economy, commerce, investment…
About economy and trade, we organised successfully the 8th Joint
Commission for Economy and Trade in Hanoi in 2013 and recently the
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Vietnam Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Ho Chi Minh City branch organised successfully
the Iran-Vietnam Business Meeting, the third meeting of the two
countries’ business community.
In 2010, the trade
volume between Iran and Vietnam reached 144 million USD, in 2011: 186
million USD and in 2012: 316 million USD. These figures have reflected
year-on-year increase in trade cooperation but the two sides will strive
to increase bilateral trade turnover to a higher level of 1 billion USD
per year in the coming years.
About cultural and
educational cooperation, until now, Iran Government has been presenting a
lot of scholarships to Vietnamese students and an Iranian student has
come to Vietnam for a Vietnamese language course. A Persian language
course has been also organised in VNU – University of Social Sciences
and Humanities for two years. Iran and Vietnam’s literature books have
been translated into Vietnamese and Persian languages. In 2013 an
Iranian traditional music group had performances in Hanoi on the
occasion of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between two
countries.
* Would you please tell us the prospect
for the relationship between the two countries and development of
cooperation of the business communities of the two sides?
Iran has its pivotal geographical location in the Middle East, with
GDP of 485 billion USD, approximate foreign trade volume of 200 billion
USD per year and population of 78 million. As a member of ECO, we can
provide an easy access for Vietnamese products to the Middle East,
Central Asian and CIS countries with a market of over 300 million people
in 15 neighboring countries.
On the other side,
Vietnam is also a potential market for Iranian companies to establish
their business here thanks to its strategic geographical location and
being a member of ASEAN in the South East Asia with over 750 million
people while the country has GDP of 141 billion USD, foreign trade
volume of over 250 billion USD and population of 90 million.
Iran has set a new vision which focuses on Asia and especially ASEAN
while Vietnam is a member of this regional organisation. Iranian leaders
also pay special attention to Vietnam and its achievements in national
development. It is proposed that Iran and Vietnam can be two wings of
the economic-political belt in Asia which can be a gateway for expansion
of trade and distribution of goods for each other. There is no doubt
that the existing similarities, deep friendship in the past can be the
engine for new cooperation between the two countries. With the policy of
supporting expansion of relations through private sector, Iran invites
Vietnamese businessmen to come to Iran for business visit and
participation in exhibition, trade fairs and etc.
The business communities of the two countries explore definitely the
potentials on the different business arenas. Iran can export products
such as oil, gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, building materials,
pharmaceuticals, dried fruits and industrial products to Vietnam market
and Vietnam can export agricultural (5 percent broken rice, tea, coffee,
pepper) fishery, garments (clothes and footwear), textiles, cashew
nuts, wood, rattan and bamboo, sport shoes, hand phone, motorbike spare
parts and bicycle and natural rubber products to Iran market.
Regarding geopolitical and strategic position of the two markets, the
business communities of the two sides can absolutely use the available
business opportunities.
* What areas do you think Iran can invest successfully in Vietnam and vice versa?
Regarding Iran’s potentials, Iran is finding the investment
opportunities in the areas of technology, new technology, Nano –
technology, energy, IT, petrochemicals, oil industry, refinery,
construction and automotive parts, medical technology and pharmacy
sciences, etc.
Also, Vietnam can invest successfully
in Iran in the areas such as refinery, oil exploration and operation,
agriculture, fishing, rubber, footwear and agricultural machinery, etc.-VNA