Prime Minister agrees to consider opening direct flights between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia

On the evening of October 18 (local time), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had his first activities in Saudi Arabia, which was to receive leaders of large corporations and enterprises operating and investing in Vietnam.

During the meetings, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the goal of further strengthening effective and mutually beneficial economic cooperation between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia is one of the top priorities during this visit.

Prime Minister receives Mr. Abdulrahman Al Zamil, Chairman of Zamil Group

NORTH JAPAN

Sharing with the Prime Minister, Mr. Abdulrahman Al Zamil, Chairman of Zamil Group, said that in more than 20 years of investing and doing business in Vietnam, he has received great support from the Vietnamese Government.

Mr. Abdulrahman Al Zamil highly appreciated Vietnam's favorable geographical location in exporting products to neighboring markets. At the same time, he hoped that Vietnam would create favorable conditions for the group to export its products through Vietnam to countries in the region.

The Prime Minister suggested that Zamil Group study and expand its investment and production activities in Vietnam in line with Zamil’s multi-industry role. At the same time, it should continue to share experiences, connect and encourage other Saudi Arabian enterprises to participate in investment, production and business in Vietnam.

The same evening, the Prime Minister received Mr. Shehim Kottilingal, Director of Lulu Group, a retail group with supermarket chains in more than 23 countries. The group's leader said that Vietnam is a politically safe destination with great potential for agricultural exports. In the near future, the group will expand its market in Vietnam, including purchasing and building agricultural processing plants.

Currently, the company has imported 30% of Vietnam's fresh lemons for sale in Saudi Arabia and 40% of Vietnam's cashew nuts, and plans to continue importing other agricultural products such as fish and other fruits and vegetables.

Mr. Shehim Kottilingal also suggested that the Vietnamese Government create more favorable conditions for licensing the expansion of agricultural processing plants in Vietnam and expanding the import of agricultural products. In particular, research on opening a direct flight from Saudi Arabia to Vietnam to facilitate the import of fresh food and vegetables in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that the group promote and introduce more Vietnamese products in supermarket chains around the world, especially products with advantages and potential, suitable to the tastes of consumers in Saudi Arabia as well as in the Middle East region.

Prime Minister agrees with Lulu Group's proposal to consider opening a direct flight from Vietnam to Saudi Arabia

NORTH JAPAN

The Prime Minister hopes that Lulu Group will cooperate so that Vietnamese enterprises can participate in the Halal industry. Research cooperation with a number of potential and capable partners to open a supermarket chain system in Vietnam, a country of 100 million people with great purchasing power. At the same time, through Vietnam, to penetrate the large ASEAN market.

The Prime Minister also said that he would create favorable conditions for the group in granting licenses to expand the construction of factories in Vietnam. In particular, he agreed to study the opening of a direct flight route from Vietnam to Saudi Arabia and was ready to welcome the group's leaders in Vietnam.

That same evening, the Prime Minister also spent time receiving Mr. Ali Al-Khatib, Deputy CEO of Ajlan&Bros Company - a large garment corporation in 15 countries.

Mr. Ali AL-Khatib said that the company will have long-term projects in Vietnam in the future. At the same time, he wants to participate in areas where Vietnam has strengths such as agriculture, rice, clean energy, renewable energy, real estate, etc.

The Prime Minister suggested that this enterprise research investment and cooperate with a number of Vietnamese partners to develop areas of strength such as textiles, technology, agriculture, rice, clean energy, renewable energy, real estate, and emerging development industries.

Thanhnien.vn