Meeting with Neil Pollock, Vice President of the South African Chamber of Commerce, Prime Minister Chinh highlighted the untapped potential of Vietnam–South Africa economic relations and called on South African businesses to increase investment in Vietnam. He emphasised sustainable and comprehensive cooperation, particularly in agriculture, electronics, textiles, and footwear, building on strong political foundations and the vast potential of both countries.

Pollock praised Vietnam’s remarkable economic progress and stressed the Chamber’s role in connecting businesses from both countries to turn “words into action.”

In discussions with Sesakho Magadla, CEO of Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA), Prime Minister Chinh shared Vietnam’s 50-year experience in oil and gas exploration and processing, primarily offshore. He proposed cooperation in workforce development and renewable energy, including offshore wind and solar power. He invited the CEO to visit Vietnam to exchange practical ideas and promote concrete projects.

Magadla expressed South Africa’s strong interest in cooperating with Vietnam, welcomed the Prime Minister’s proposals, and confirmed plans to engage with Petrovietnam to sign a memorandum of understanding, aiming for swift, sustainable, and mutually beneficial cooperation. She emphasised that, with South Africa’s electricity grid connected across the region, there is significant potential for collaboration, particularly in offshore wind and oil & gas projects, where Petrovietnam’s support will be essential to the success of these initiatives.

During the meeting with De Villiers Engelbrecht, CEO of Airlink, Prime Minister Chinh said that expanding aviation cooperation would enhance people-to-people exchanges, trade, and tourism between Vietnam and South Africa.

According to the PM, Vietnam’s aviation market is growing rapidly, with total passenger traffic projected to reach around 85 million in 2025, an increase of about 11% compared to 2024. Vietnam currently has six domestic airlines and is investing heavily in airport infrastructure to meet rising demand.

The Long Thanh Airport is expected to complete its first phase by the end of 2025, while Gia Binh Airport will be completed in the coming years, aiming to make Vietnam a regional aviation hub serving up to 100 million passengers and millions of tonnes of cargo annually.

In the PM’s view, South Africa is the gateway to Africa, while Vietnam serves as the gateway to Asia and Southeast Asia, within a 5–6 hour flight radius encompassing about 50% of the world’s population and 60% of global GDP. Drawing on Vietnam’s experience in managing extensive flight networks, he urged Airlink to enhance cooperation with Vietnamese airlines to strengthen air connectivity between the two countries.

The goal is for Airlink to serve as the gateway to Africa for Vietnamese carriers, and for Vietnamese airlines to become the gateway to Asia for Airlink and other South African airlines, he said.

The Airlink CEO highlighted Vietnam’s friendly business environment and tourism potential and pledged to work with Vietnamese airlines on cargo and passenger services.

He revealed that discussions are underway with Vietnamese airlines to implement collaboration initiatives aligned with the Prime Minister’s proposals, contributing to the establishment of a cooperative corridor to promote tourism and people-to-people exchanges between South Africa and Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived in Johannesburg on November 21, beginning his official trip to attend the G20 Summit and engage in bilateral meetings in South Africa.

Source: VOV