By Thabo Mosia
The African National Congress (ANC) held a high-level meeting with the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) on Monday, 30 September 2024. The ANC delegation, led by Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane, met with Phan Dinh Trac, a member of the Politburo of the CPV. The meeting sought to explore and enhance party-to-party relations, focusing on collaborative opportunities in trade, investment, and emerging technological sectors .
The ANC’s commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam underscores its broader strategy of forging international partnerships to benefit South Africa’s economic and technological development. The meeting, which took place in Hanoi, is expected to pave the way for closer collaboration between the two countries, particularly in sectors that are vital for future growth.
The Focus of the Meeting
At the heart of the discussions was the potential for expanding trade and investment between South Africa and Vietnam. Both parties acknowledged the importance of leveraging their strong historical ties to drive economic development and mutual prosperity. With Vietnam emerging as a significant player in global trade, particularly in the technology and manufacturing sectors, the ANC delegation highlighted the opportunities for South Africa to learn from Vietnam’s rapid industrialisation and innovation-driven growth .
During the meeting, Mokonyane emphasized the need for the two countries to collaborate in sectors such as information and communication technology (ICT), manufacturing, and renewable energy. She pointed out that South Africa could benefit from Vietnam’s expertise in these areas, which aligns with the ANC’s agenda to foster technological innovation and economic diversification.
Phan Dinh Trac, representing the CPV, echoed these sentiments, stating that Vietnam is eager to strengthen its relationship with South Africa. He noted that the Communist Party of Vietnam sees the ANC as a strategic partner in Africa, and the collaboration could serve as a model for South-South cooperation. Both parties expressed optimism that the partnership would lead to tangible outcomes in the near future, with a focus on creating sustainable and inclusive growth for both nations .
Trade and Investment: Key Pillars of the Partnership
Trade and investment were at the forefront of the discussions, with both parties exploring avenues to increase bilateral trade. In recent years, trade between South Africa and Vietnam has grown steadily, with Vietnam exporting goods such as electronics, textiles, and machinery to South Africa, while South Africa exports minerals, agricultural products, and chemicals to Vietnam.
The ANC delegation highlighted the potential for further expansion in these sectors, particularly in the context of South Africa’s drive to boost industrialisation and create jobs. Mokonyane noted that Vietnam’s success in building a competitive manufacturing sector could offer valuable lessons for South Africa. The two countries also explored opportunities in the agricultural sector, with a focus on enhancing food security and improving agricultural productivity through technological innovation .
Investment was another key topic, with both sides discussing the potential for increased foreign direct investment (FDI) from Vietnam into South Africa. The ANC delegation emphasized the importance of attracting Vietnamese investors to key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing, which are critical for South Africa’s economic recovery and growth. Similarly, South African businesses were encouraged to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam, particularly in the rapidly growing technology sector.
Emerging Technological Opportunities
One of the most promising aspects of the meeting was the focus on emerging technological opportunities. Both South Africa and Vietnam are at critical junctures in their technological development, and there is significant potential for collaboration in this area.
Mokonyane pointed out that South Africa’s growing tech ecosystem could benefit from Vietnam’s experience in developing its ICT sector. Vietnam has become a hub for technology startups and has attracted significant investment from global tech giants. The ANC delegation explored ways to facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building in the tech space, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and fintech .
In addition to ICT, renewable energy was highlighted as a key area for collaboration. Vietnam has made significant strides in developing its renewable energy sector, particularly in solar and wind power. South Africa, which is grappling with energy challenges, could benefit from Vietnam’s experience in building a sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure. The two parties discussed the potential for joint ventures and technology transfer in this area, with a focus on reducing South Africa’s reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning to cleaner energy sources .
Strengthening Party-to-Party Relations
Beyond economic and technological collaboration, the meeting also focused on strengthening the political and ideological ties between the ANC and the CPV. Both parties share a long history of solidarity, dating back to their respective struggles for independence and social justice. The ANC and the CPV reaffirmed their commitment to upholding these shared values and working together to promote peace, stability, and development both in Africa and Southeast Asia .
Mokonyane emphasized the importance of maintaining strong party-to-party relations, noting that such partnerships are critical for advancing the ANC’s agenda both domestically and internationally. She pointed out that the ANC could learn from the CPV’s success in driving economic growth while maintaining political stability. The CPV, in turn, expressed its admiration for the ANC’s leadership in promoting social and economic transformation in South Africa .
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