Saudi Aramco targets Vietnam for refining and distribution

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with Amin H. Al-Nasser, chairman and CEO of Saudi Aramco. Photo: VGP

"Vietnam is a market with significant potential for growth," said Al-Nasser, expressing Aramco’s commitment to invest in key areas of the country’s energy industry.

PM Chinh received Al-Nasser in Riyadh on October 29, marking the first official visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1999.

Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s largest companies by both scale and revenue, recorded nearly $500 billion in revenue in 2023, with assets exceeding $660 billion.

During their meeting, Al-Nasser sought the Vietnamese government’s support to enable a successful partnership with local enterprises.

"We look forward to strengthening cooperation with Vietnamese partners, particularly in refining and distribution," Al-Nasser said.

PM Chinh welcomed Aramco’s interest, noting that initial collaboration could focus on oil and gas trading with the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam).

He highlighted Vietnam’s extensive 3,000-km coastline, saying, "Vietnam’s strategic location provides valuable access to the broader Asian market, positioning us as an emerging energy hub."

Vietnam’s oil and gas sector, encompassing upstream, midstream, and downstream activities, offers robust potential, with PetroVietnam as an ideal partner. PM Chinh encouraged Aramco to, "consider broader investments in refining, storage, and distribution that would not only serve Vietnam but also the region."

Chinh also urged Aramco to explore Vietnam’s large-scale petrochemical projects and trade opportunities in crude oil, liquified petroleum gas, resins, and fertilisers. Al-Nasser confirmed Aramco’s commitment to advancing talks with PetroVietnam, announcing plans to send a multidisciplinary delegation to Vietnam.

"We are ready to explore specific projects with PetroVietnam and aim for mutual growth through this cooperation," he declared.

Following the meeting, PetroVietnam and Aramco signed an MoU on oil and gas trade cooperation, witnessed by PM Chinh.

Chinh visit to Saudi Arabia was from October 29-30 and included participation in the eighth Future Investment Initiative, where he delivered a keynote address as Asia’s sole high-level representative.

Saudi Arabia ranks as Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa region, with bilateral trade reaching $2.68 billion in 2023.

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