Conference helps connect overseas Vietnamese with localities

As many as 200 delegates representing overseas Vietnamese from 28 countries gathered at a conference in the central province of Nghe An on December 27 to discuss connections between them and localities in the homeland.

Vice Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Foreign Ministry Luong Thanh Nghi speaks at the conference. (Photo: baophapluat.vn)
Vice Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Foreign Ministry Luong Thanh Nghi speaks at the conference. (Photo: baophapluat.vn)

Vice Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Foreign Ministry Luong Thanh Nghi said the function creates an opportunity for Vietnamese at home and abroad, especially those in central provinces, to explore business-investment opportunities, which will bring practical benefits for each locality’s socio-economic development in the long run.

The Party, Government and localities always pay due attention to the overseas Vietnamese community, evidenced by the implementation and perfection of mechanisms, policies and laws on citizenship, visa exemption and land ownership to support Vietnamese expatriates to do business in the homeland.

According to the World Bank, remittances to Vietnam have increased through years from US$11.9 billion in 2016 to US$13.8 billion in 2017. The amount is projected to reach US$16 billion this year.

So far this year, nearly 3,000 overseas Vietnamese businesses have contributed capital totaling about US$4 billion. Each year, between 300 and 500 overseas Vietnamese intellectuals join research and cooperation programmes on science-technology transfer, education and training, Nghi noted.

Participants at the conference.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Ngoc Hoa said the conference aims to affirm the Party and State’s policy of regarding the overseas Vietnamese community as an indispensable part of the nation.

Nghe An is one of the provinces with the largest number of expatriates in the country, which stands at about 75,000, he said, adding that many associations strengthening solidarity between local people have developed in Russia, Germany and the Czech Republic.

These associations serve as an important bridge to connect and support the provincial investment, trade and tourism promotion activities, as well as boost the friendly cooperative relations between Nghe An and foreign partners, he added.

Nghe An has been improving its infrastructure system, human resources training and investment environment besides simplifying administrative procedures and widening door to investors, the official stressed.

There are approximately 4.5 million Vietnamese living and working in over 110 countries and territories worldwide.