In the economic aspect, The Egyptian Gazette noted Vietnam is viewed as an emerging tiger in Asia with a GDP growth rate of over 7% in 2019, annual per capita income approximating US$2,800, and household poverty rate brought down to 1.45% – which was recognised by the UNDP as an important attainment of the country’s poverty reduction efforts.
According to this daily, Vietnam is currently among the nations with the fastest growth in the Human Development Index. Meanwhile, foreign direct investment there rises 7.2% each year and exceeded US38 billion in 2019, the highest in a decade.
The newspapers shared that view that Vietnam is holding important dual roles in the region and the world as it is the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for 2020-2021.
The country excellently fulfilled the tasks in the UNSC presidency last January, they said, adding that this successful performance was an important initial result that will benefit its participation in the UNSC in the time ahead.
Regarding the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the newspapers said the UN and many countries around the world have expressed their admiration for Vietnam’s accomplishments.
So far, the Southeast Asian nation hasn’t recorded any deaths from the coronavirus disease and, like Egypt, it has sent medical supplies to the countries hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak.
In terms of bilateral cooperation, the Egyptian media highlighted that the two countries have enjoyed new strides in their relations in multiple spheres and at different levels.
Bilateral trade has reached US$500 million, turning Egypt into the second largest trade partner of Vietnam in Africa, and they are working towards US$1 billion in trade turnover to help Egypt secure the No. 1 position.
Meanwhile, as the ASEAN Chair this year, Vietnam can act as an important bridge linking Egypt with other ASEAN members, thereby helping the Egyptian Government promote its “Look East” policy, the newspapers noted.
