The visit comes at a time when the all-round co-operation between Vietnam and Haiti, as well as with other countries in Latin America, is developing remarkably, proving the Vietnamese Party’s policies of cultivating openness; promoting multilateralisation and diversification of external relations; engaging in active and positive international integration; and being a friend, reliable partner and responsible member of the international community.
Vietnam and Haiti established diplomatic ties on September 26, 1997. The Vietnamese government, acting through the Vietnam Red Cross Society, donated US$150,000 to help Haiti overcome the aftermath of the earthquake in January 2010.
The official visit Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe to Vietnam in December 2012 was the first by a top leader of Haiti to Vietnam. Haiti is a potential investment market for Vietnamese businesses. However, due to Haiti’s political, security and economic situation, as well as the geographical distance between Vietnam and Haiti, bilateral economic relations have yet to reach their potential.
Although two-way trade has seen remarkable growth, it remains at a low level. Turnover rose from US$11 million in 2010 to US$42 million in 2013.
In 2010, the army-run Viettel telecommunications group partnered with Haiti’s Teleco S.A to set up NATCOM SA. The joint-venture, which an initial capital of US$ 100 million, began operation in September, 2011, marking a new step in the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Vietnam and Haiti have maintained a fine co-operation and have supported each other in international organisations and at multilateral forums.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Haiti will consider measures and orientations to further deepen the Vietnam–Haiti relationship and promote South-South bilateral trade and co-operative ties. The visit makes an important contribution to bringing Vietnam–Haiti relations to a new stage of development for the practical benefit of the two peoples, and contributing to peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and around the world.
