Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted separate receptions for representatives of leading Saudi Arabian enterprises after arriving in the Middle Eastern country on Thursday (local time) to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit.

Shehim Kottilingal, director at LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets, a retail business under Lulu Group International, said Vietnam is a safe destination and holds much potential for exporting agro products.

Therefore, Lulu plans to expand its business to Vietnam, including purchasing local farm produce and building an agro product processing plant in the Southeast Asian nation.

Lulu imports 30 percent of its fresh limes and 40 percent of its cashew nuts from Vietnam to resell in the Saudi Arabian market and has plans to purchase more Vietnamese agro items such as fish and vegetables in the near future.

The Lulu leader proposed that the Vietnamese government create more favorable conditions in the licensing and expansion of farm produce processing plants and the import of Vietnamese agro items.

In addition, he suggested the two countries consider the launch of a direct air route to facilitate the import of food, fresh vegetables, and fruits from Vietnam.

PM Chinh thanked Lulu Group International for having introduced quality Vietnamese products to consumers in Saudi Arabia and other countries through its chain of hypermarkets over the years.

The top Vietnamese official suggested that Lulu continue introducing more Vietnamese products in its hypermarket chain.

Abdulrahman Al Zamil, chairman of Zamil Group, during his meeting with PM Chinh said the group’s Zamil Steel Company built a 100-percent foreign-owned factory at Noi Bai Industrial Park in Hanoi.

Considering Vietnam as an ideal destination for exporting Zamil products to neighboring countries, the Zamil chairman wished Vietnam would create optimal conditions for the group to ship its products to neighboring markets.

The Vietnamese Cabinet leader suggested Zamil Group consider expanding its business in Vietnam, with a focus on hi-tech and sustainable investment.

During his reception for Ali Al-Khatib, Deputy CEO for Investment and Portfolio of Ajlan & Bros Holding, a leading textile-garment firm in Saudi Arabia, PM Chinh also proposed the firm consider establishing cooperation with Vietnamese companies in textile-garment, technology, agriculture, renewable energy, and real estate.

In response, Ali Al-Khatib said the company would develop long-term projects in Vietnam in the years ahead and be seeking appropriate business partners in the Southeast Asian nation.

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