Uruguayan expert hails Vietnam's dynamic growth and cooperation potential

This was affirmed by Dr. Ignacio Bartesaghi,  Dr. Ignacio Bartesaghi, Director of the International Business Institute of the Catholic University of Uruguay and Programme Coordinator of the ASEAN-MERCOSUR Chair, in a recent media interview.

Dr. Bartesaghi shared that during his visit to Hanoi in October 2024, he witnessed significant changes in the Asian nation since his last visit three years ago. The country's infrastructure investments and the emergence of numerous new buildings in urban areas left a deep impression on him. He views Vietnam as a country that is continuously developing, embodying the spirit of modern life

Regarding the relationship between the two countries, Dr. Bartesaghi highlighted the vast potential for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Uruguay can provide agricultural products such as beef, soybeans, and wine to Vietnam. In return, Vietnam can supply Uruguay with technological products, electronics, and machinery.

Concerning the prospects of negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) between MERCOSUR (the Southern Common Market) and ASEAN, Dr. Bartesaghi expressed optimism about ongoing efforts to push this process forward. Paraguay has underscored the importance of establishing the Paraguay-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce to expand its market access to Southeast Asia.

Vietnam, along with Indonesia and the Philippines, are high-growth, dynamic economies that capture significant interest from Latin American investors, especially from South America, including Uruguay.

On education, the Uruguayan expert expressed his desire to intensify academic exchanges between Vietnam and Uruguay, following the success of his visit to the Foreign Trade University in October 2024 under the ASEAN-MERCOSUR Chair Program. The visit, led by Dr. Bartesaghi, included 10 foreign trade students from Uruguay.

Established in 2016, the ASEAN-MERCOSUR Chair Program has promoted dialogue and cooperation between ASEAN and MERCOSUR, particularly in economic and educational fields.

The program facilitates bilateral trade activities, supports technological exchanges in agriculture and industry, and fosters joint research projects in science and technology. Collaboration in education and academic exchanges between ASEAN and MERCOSUR is expected to improve human resource quality and expand opportunities for international cooperation.