Trade with UAE expected to reach $1.2b

How have UAE people celebrated their National Day? Which special activities are scheduled to mark the Day this year?

Ambassador Ahmed Ali Almualla

On this occasion, we have many public and family festivities, including traditional performances and cuisine, live music and sports activities to create a carnival-like atmosphere.

This year, the celebrations were officially launched on November 1 in Abu Dhabi with a spectacular display of fireworks near the Breakwater. An impressive array of events and programmes open to all UAE nationals and residents are lined up to foster loyalty and pride with a salute to the nation's rich history, culture and achievements. The festivities will last until the beginning of December, 2011.

Star-studded National Day concerts will feature well-known singers from the UAE and the GCC who will perform in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region on the first three days of December.

The Manaret Saadiyat in Saadiyat Island will feature the UAE Experience Pavilion brought back from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo to showcase exclusive photographs, video clips and artifacts that illustrate the past and present of the UAE, as well as the most important milestones in development over the past four decades.

The Yas Marina Circuit in Yas Island will host a union parade in an electrifying atmosphere of live music and excitement. Participants dressed up in traditional Emirati attire will ride in decorated vehicles and motor bikes, along with face-painted children, marching bands and performers who will entertain the crowd.

The celebrations will conclude with a massive event on December 2 at the Zayed Sports City for over 40,000 spectators. The event will include a choreographed show illustrating the achievements of the UAE over the last 40 years.

Dubai is considered a financial gateway of the Middle East. Could UAE help Viet Nam better access this potential region?

With rapid growth in bilateral trade between Viet Nam-UAE over the past years, it is likely that trade exchange will reach $1.2 billion by the end of this year. With its strategic location, comprehensive infrastructure, over 30 state-of-the-art free zones throughout the country and open economic policies to attract foreign investment, UAE plays an important role in the region's business and economic affairs. UAE has become one of the largest markets in the region for Vietnamese exports. Besides Abu Dhabi, Dubai is considered a main gateway for Viet Nam to enter the UAE and other markets in the region. Here's why: Dubai takes up 75 per cent of total imports of the UAE; Dubai takes up 82 per cent of non-oil exports of the UAE; Dubai accounts for 78 per cent of total re-exports of the UAE to other Arab countries and the MENA markets.

Every year, a large number of international exhibitions and trade fairs are held in Dubai which are good opportunities and platforms for Vietnamese businesses to look for UAE partners. We look forward to the future participation of more Vietnamese companies and businesses in these fairs and exhibitions. Some useful information can be found on Dubai's World Trade Center website at www.dwtc.com

Viet Nam mainly exports tea, coffee, pepper, seafood and garments and textile products to UAE. What other kinds of products do you think Vietnamese businesses could export to UAE? What more do you think should be done to boost trade relations between the two countries?

Currently, Viet Nam main's exports are agricultural, aquacultural and textiles and garments. However many other kinds of Vietnamese products can be exported to the UAE, such as electronic wares, computers, construction materials, electric cables, interior products, processed foods and wood furniture. The UAE has a high demand for these products which are prevalent in Viet Nam.

United Arab Emirates at a glance: Capital Abu Dhabi Official language: Arabic Total area: 83,600 sq.km Population: over 8.2 million Currency: UAE dirham (AED) National flag: On the hoist side of the flag there is a vertical red band. Supported on this band are three equal horizontal bands of green, white and black respectively from top downwards.

Besides that, official cooperation mechanisms should be strengthened, such as activities of the joint committee, bilateral cooperation between governmental agencies, trade promotion and activities in the private sector of both sides. The goal is to activate the agreed agenda after the first session of the joint committee held in Ha Noi last year.

Capital Abu Dhabi

Official language: Arabic

Total area: 83,600 sq.km

Population: over 8.2 million

Currency: UAE dirham (AED)

National flag: On the hoist side of the flag there is a vertical red band. Supported on this band are three equal horizontal bands of green, white and black respectively from top downwards.

Another channel to boost trade relations between the two countries may be using seminars and forums for businesses from Viet Nam and UAE. I am pleased to let you know that last month, the UAE Embassy, in coordination with VCCI (Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry), successfully organised seminars on UAE-Viet Nam Trade and Investment Cooperation Opportunities in the three big cities of Can Tho, Da Lat and Nha Trang. The number of delegates to the three seminars was estimated to be about 300 people from local governments, relevant governmental agencies and businesses from various sectors.

As a result, many delegates highly appreciated the initiative of the Embassy and VCCI in co-organising the meaningful event. In this context, Viet Nam is strengthening its co-operation with other countries in the Middle East. Hopefully, more seminars and forums like this will be held in both countries to boost trade and investment relations in the coming time.

At an inter-Governmental meeting on Viet Nam-UAE co-operation in Ha Noi late last year, the two sides emphasised a need to launch negotiations to fight money laundering. What do you think about the cooperation potential between the two countries in this field?

Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. — VNSFile Photo

Yes, UAE and Viet Nam agreed to accelerate negotiations on the MoU cooperation to combat money laundering which was already drafted and provided by the UAE. The UAE is looking forward to the Vietnamese side's feedback as soon as possible. I think this MoU will be considered a neccessary legal basis for both sides in the globalisation context.

During the time of your mission in Viet Nam, a great deal of charity events have been underway by UAE sponsors. Could you please share with us some information regarding these activities?

During three years in Viet Nam, I have had the great honor of being involved in UAE's charity programs and projects that aid poor people and children in Viet Nam. Over US$1 million was donated by the UAE through the Embassy of UAE in Ha Noi for needy people in Viet Nam's southern areas.

Notably, UAE charity organisations, such as the UAE Red Crescent Society, the Dar Al Ber Society and Sheikh Khalifah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation - Abu Dhabi, and individuals have funded the purchase of medical equipment and ambulances, the construction of clinics and houses, as well as electric pumps, schools, mosques and bridges for people in An Giang and Tay Ninh provinces as well as HCM City.

So far, all construction works have been finished and put into operation. It is strongly believed that the valuable donations from UAE charity organisations and individuals have brought about many changes and much happiness to local residents. — VNS