EU business delegation explores VN opportunities
EU business delegation explores VN opportunities
A delegation of 47 representatives from the EU's industrial associations and companies began a visit to Viet Nam yesterday to seek business opportunities in the country.
With a theme of "Mission for Growth", the visit is led by Vice President Antonio Tajani, European Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, as a part of the EU's efforts to deepen economic relations with countries in the dynamic ASEAN region.
Representing mostly key EU areas related to Viet Nam, such as tourism, agri-business and manufactured goods, the mission has several main objectives, including innovation and sustainable and inclusive growth in the EU and in Viet Nam; and assistance to EU companies, particularly small- and medium-d enterprises (SMEs), in the ASEAN region; and promotion of the EU's industry in targeted sectors.
Yesterday in HCM City, the delegation participated in a matchmaking event with local entrepreneurs to share business information.
In Ha Noi, Tajani will meet today with Government officials, including Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang and Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh.
At a press conference yesterday in HCM City, Tajani said that the EU and Viet Nam will sign a letter of intent today to establish a dialogue on SME policy to ensure a higher degree of co-operation between export-oriented SMEs on both sides.
The dialogue will pay particular attention to the exchange of best practices to create SME-friendly legislation, public-private business consultations and co-operation in research and innovation and the exchange of best practices for SME internationalisation and co-operation, as well as the development of strong business associations.
A letter of intent on a sustainable tourism between the EU and Viet Nam will also be signed today.
It aims to promote dialogue and co-operation between the two sides on initiatives on sustainable tourism.
In addition, the two sides will exchange best practices in the fields of natural and cultural heritage preservation and promotion, SMEs, training and skills and the improvement of tourism services quality.
Trade and investment between the EU and Viet Nam have been steadily growing over recent years, with EU companies considering the country as a potential production base, a lucrative and growing market and one of the key gateways to the increasingly integrated ASEAN market.
However, compared to Asian competitors, the share of European trade and investment is slowly falling as European SMEs face difficulties in establishing a permanent foothold in Viet Nam.
EU-Viet Nam Business Network opens
The inauguration of the new EU – Viet Nam Business Network (EVBN) was organised yesterday in HCM City with the witness of Vice President Antonio Tajani, European Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry.
The network is set up with the main aim of assisting new small- and medium-d enterprises (SMEs) on the cultural, legal and administrative aspects of setting up shops in Viet Nam.
It will also play a key role in strengthening the activities of EU companies in ASEAN region including Viet Nam by helping EU companies seek and exploit business opportunities.
Operating in five years, the network hopes to increase the trade turnover between the EU and Viet Nam in the coming time.
vietnamnews
