Acting President of Mauritius Kheshoe Parsad Matadeen received Vietnamese Ambassador Le Huy Hoang in the country’s capital Port Louis on March 6, voicing his hope for more substantive strides in the two countries’ cooperation.

Vietnamese Ambassador Le Huy Hoang (L) presents his credentials to Acting President of Mauritius Kheshoe Parsad Matadeen Port Louis city on March 6 

At the reception following the diplomat’s presentation of his credentials, the Acting President said Mauritius treasures and wishes to promote its friendship with Vietnam.

Noting Vietnam’s economic reforms and international integration achievements, he expressed his hope that bilateral cooperation will enjoy new developments, especially in economy, trade, investment, telecommunications, tourism, justice and agriculture.

He wished the ambassador a successful term so as to remain a bridge contributing to the two countries’ relations.

Hoang, also Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique, conveyed congratulations from Party General Secretary and President of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh to leaders of Mauritius on their country’s 51st National Day (March 12).

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to friendship with Mauritius.

The diplomat said he hopes to receive coordination from relevant ministries and sectors of Mauritius to help with relations in various fields.

He called for continued mutual support at multilateral forums like the United Nations, the International Organisation of La Francophonie and the Non-Aligned Movement. Hoang also asked Mauritius to support Vietnam to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

On this occasion, Ambassador Hoang met with leaders of the government, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, the Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Economic Development Board, along with representatives of Mauritian business circle.

Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth said the two countries should step up partnerships in economy, trade, and tourism, including signing a double taxation avoidance agreement and an investment promotion and protection deal.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Santi Bai Hanoomanjee lauded the Vietnamese National Assembly’s activities, asking the countries’ parliamentarians to share experience  and help strengthen bilateral parliamentary links.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo also voiced his hope for further mutual support at multilateral and regional forums, affirming that his country supports Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

While Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation Yogida Sawmynaden asked Vietnam to boost investment in telecom technology in Mauritius like it has done successfully in other African nations, Deputy Minister of Tourism Devi Chand Anandi Rye Seewooruthun showed interest in Vietnam’s tourism development and hoped for stronger collaboration in this area.

At another meeting, CEO of the Economic Development Board Francois Guibert pledged to help Vietnamese goods and services enter the Mauritian market. He also called for the two business circles to keep working together to make use of strengths of Vietnam – a fast growing economy and a big market in Southeast Asia, and Mauritius – a relatively developed economy in Africa, especially in terms of high technology, financial services and tourism.

At the events, Ambassador Hoang informed his hosts about Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements. He expressed his hope that Mauritian ministries, sectors and agencies would continue facilitating businesses’ access to the Vietnamese market and creating conditions for Vietnamese goods and labourers to enter their country.

Vietnam and Mauritius set up diplomatic ties in 1994. Bilateral trade hit 95.7 million USD in 2017. With 49 direct invested projects worth 338 million USD, Mauritius ranked third among Middle Eastern and African countries investing in Vietnam as of May 2018.-VNA