Vietnam is deepening its partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as reaffirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son during his meeting with UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Alsuwaidi. The meeting, held on February 8, 2025, in Hanoi, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and exploring investment opportunities.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Deputy Prime Minister Son welcomed Minister Alsuwaidi and emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening relations with the UAE. He acknowledged the growing interest from Middle Eastern corporations in Vietnam, following Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to the UAE in October 2024.
Minister Alsuwaidi highlighted the significance of the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s visit and reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to turning previous commitments into concrete investment projects. He emphasized the UAE’s interest in high technology, artificial intelligence (AI), energy, and logistics, noting Vietnam’s strong investment potential.
Key Areas of Cooperation
Both leaders identified priority areas for collaboration, including digital transformation, renewable energy, and the green transition. They discussed fast-tracking the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost bilateral trade to $20 billion.
Minister Alsuwaidi expressed optimism about advancing these discussions during Son’s upcoming visit to the UAE, where he will attend the World Government Summit from February 11 to 13, 2025.
Ongoing and Future Projects
The UAE and Vietnam have already approved several joint initiatives. One key project is the UAE-funded Youth Football Academy for the Hanoi Police Football Club, aimed at supporting Vietnamese youth through sports development. Another initiative focuses on agricultural cooperation, particularly rice cultivation projects, to enhance the UAE’s food security.
Additionally, Vietnam is positioning itself as a transit and storage hub for oil and petrochemical products, following discussions on LNG and renewable energy advancements. Both sides aim to leverage their expertise to drive sustainable development and economic growth.
A Shared Vision for Growth
The meeting reinforced the shared vision of Vietnam and the UAE: translating diplomatic commitments into real economic benefits. As cooperation expands, both nations are optimistic about achieving their long-term trade and investment goals.
