
Vietnam is seeking to import more coal from South Africa to ease a shortage of the fossil fuel for electricity production; therefore, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien worked with Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Vietnam Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on April 2, announced the Office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
At the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that Vietnam is boosting production and restoring economic development after the Covid-19 pandemic, so raw materials including coal are in great demand. The diversification of potential coal supply sources is an urgent requirement for Vietnam.

In addition, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien also hoped that the two sides would soon agree on a time for signing a memorandum of understanding between the two governments on cooperation in the field of minerals between the two countries.

Immediately after this meeting, the ambassador will return home to discuss with the South African Ministry of Natural Resources and Minerals about the coal supply to Vietnam as well as support to connect coal import and export businesses between the two countries. Ambassador Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro also suggested that Vietnam create favorable conditions for some of South Africa's exported products to access the Vietnamese market.
Previously, at the meeting with Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie on April 1, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien talked about plans for coal import from Australia for the Southeast Asian country’s energy security and environmental protection. Vietnam is seeking additional coal supplies from Australia which is among the world’s largest coal exporters, with its annual coal output exceeding 200 million tons. Vietnam wants to import around five million tons of coal from Australia amid a domestic shortage.