On behalf of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense’s leadership, Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Vu Hai San expressed his belief that the official visit to Vietnam of the President of Cambodian N.A. will importantly contribute to the success of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Year 2022 and celebration of the 55th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (June 24, 1967 - 2022).
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Cambodian N.A. President visits Viettel Group. |
Stressing that Viettel Group is a leading State economic group in Vietnam which undertakes both economic and defense tasks, and is a business taking the lead in investing abroad, including the Cambodian market, the Vietnamese deputy defense chief suggested the N.A., government, and functional agencies of Cambodia pay due attention and create favorable conditions for the group to develop and invest, and contribute to the country’s socio-economic development and the two neighbors’ relations of “good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability.”
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President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin and Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Vu Hai San |
During the visit, the group’s Chairman and Director General Senior Colonel Tao Duc Thang informed the guest of the group’s operations. In particular, the group is doing business in 10 countries in three continents, including Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Timor Leste, Cameroon, Tanzania, Burundi, Peru, Haiti and Mozambique. The group has succeeded in researching and producing telecommunications network equipment, and hi-tech equipment for the military. Notably, in Vietnam, Viettel pioneers in digital transformation, contributing to building a digital society.
Colonel Thang added that Cambodia is the first and one of the most profitable overseas markets of Viettel. According to Colonel Thang, in February 2009, Viettel officially launched Metfone brand in Cambodia. Over the past 13 years, Viettel has invested more than USD 840 million in the market, and Metfone has become the biggest telecommunications operator in Cambodia in terms of subscribers, revenue, and network infrastructure.
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Delegates in a joint photo |
Last year, despite COVID-19, Metfone still held No.1 position in Cambodia market with 42 percent of mobile market share, and 62% of fixed broadband market share and increased the rate of data subscribers to 87% - the highest in Viettel-invested markets. Metfone is one of the companies with the greatest contribution to Cambodia. It has generated jobs for nearly 30,000 laborers. It has been recognized by the governments and ministries of national defense of both countries as a model of bilateral economic cooperation. Together with effective production and business, Metfone has actively conducted social and community support activities.
Expressing his happiness officially visiting Vietnam and Viettel Group after the COVID-19 is controlled, President of Cambodian N.A. Heng Samrin highly appreciated the group as one of the leading hi-tech and creative businesses of Vietnam and the region. He congratulated the group on its achievements, especially its investment and business in Cambodia.
The Cambodian top legislator thanked Viettel Group, through Metfone, for greatly contributing to the economic development, providing high quality telecommunications infrastructure, and boosting digital transformation in Cambodia, and creating jobs, bringing in economic interests, and improving locals’ living standards.
The Cambodian legislative chief emphasized that Metfone has become an example of the success of the two countries’ cooperative ties in different fields.
The President of Cambodian N.A. affirmed that he will convey Viettel Group’s proposals and suggestions to the Government of Cambodia to improve policies, laws, and create conditions for the group and other foreign investors to invest more in the country.
Translated by Mai Huong