NVCCI champions digital communication to boost trade ties between Nigeria and Vietnam
By ONOME AMUGE
The Nigeria-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NVCCI) has expressed its commitment to improving investment opportunities and trade relations between Nigeria and Vietnam by utilising real-time digital communication, particularly ZOOM, to interact with active and potential business partners in Vietnam.
Oyeladun Akinsemoyin, the president of NVCCI, during the recent Nigeria-Vietnam Business Investment Forum (BIF) held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hall,noted that members of the chamber had traveled long distances from across Lagos and other parts of the country to visit the commercial counselor’s office in Ikeja, just to book meetings with business contacts in Vietnam.
Akinsemoyin explained that rather than going through strenuous processes to interact with business counterparts, NVCCI members can simply contact the commercial counselor by phone, who will then book a Zoom meeting on their behalf with any business contact in Vietnam.
According to the NVCCI president, this new normal in business interactions will help improve trade relations between Nigeria and Vietnam.
The NVCCI president, described this mode of communication as the “new normal” in business interactions which the organisation must utilise to boost trade relations between Nigeria and Vietnam.
Recounting the progress so far in the business partnership between Nigeria and Vietnam,Akinsemoyin recalled that Yemi Osinbajo, the immediate vice-president of Nigeria made a state visit to Hanoi, Vietnam in December 2022 where he signed a collaboration defence agreement with the Vietnamese government.
He disclosed further that in June 2023,Nigeria completed a Reciprocal Investment Promotion and Protection agreement with the South East Asia country.
The strengthened business relationship, he pointed out, has led to Richy Group Joint Stock Company, a leading confectionery manufacturer in Vietnam, investing in Nigeria.
At the event, Bui Quoc Hung, the Vietnam ambassador, delivered a keynote address in which he pledged his willingness to support Nigeria by strengthening bilateral trade relations between Vietnam and Nigeria and promoting direct investment between the two countries.
The event was well-attended by Nigerian businesses and enterprises, and provided opportunities for networking among the public and private sector groups.
Furthermore,the Vietnam Commercial Office, led by Chi Mai Nguyen, provided information and enlightened participants on how to do business with Vietnam.