Vietnam, Colombia share experience in COVID-19 containment efforts

In his speech, Vietnamese Chargé d'Affaires Van Cong Thang affirmed that 42 years on from establishing diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two sides has recorded many remarkable achievements in politics, diplomacy, culture, and social affairs.

Amid the complicated nature of developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the country remains willing to share and exchange information with Colombia, particularly in terms of its experience in pandemic response and control, as well as post-pandemic economic recovery measures.

According to Thang, the pandemic in Vietnam has basically been contained nationwide, however, it is imperative to continue to follow the 5K messages, speed up the vaccination process, raise people's awareness about pandemic prevention and control measures, along with other necessary countermeasures.

At present, the nation is gradually implementing safe, flexible adaptation, and effective control measures of the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst it is also becoming an attractive destination for trade, investment, and tourism activities both throughout the region and the wider world

With regard to economic recovery measures, Thang affirmed that the Vietnamese Government has put forth short-term solutions aimed at intensifying COVID-19 prevention and control, ensuring social security, and providing support for local businesses. He also emphasised the goal of controlling inflation and stabilising the local macro-economy in the long term.

In response, Nohora Pardo, vice president of the Colombia - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, said that Colombia has built a wide vaccination network that is capable of deploying a nationwide vaccination rollout, even organising models of injection stations on roads.

The South American nation has injected 60.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, of which 26.24 million people have received two doses, accounting for 51.6% of the national population.

Moreover, the Colombian Government also allows private companies and organisations to import vaccines to inoculate their employees.

Pardo stated that after reaching vaccine coverage of over 50% of the population, Colombia has reactivated the economy with measures aimed at supporting businesses and people through the Emergency Mitigation Fund by providing preferential credit packages and launching job seeking support programmes.

Also at the event, Nguyen Thi Huong Lien, vice president and CEO of Sao Thai Duong Joint Stock Company and Master of Pharmacology, introduced the drug Kovir to support COVID-19 treatment

She also expressed her company’s desire to connect and strengthen medical co-operation in order to carry out promotional activities for Kovir in the Colombian market in the future.