Seminar highlights Viet Nam-Germany economic prospects
Seminar highlights Viet Nam-Germany economic prospects
A seminar featuring the prospects of Viet Nam-Germany economic ties was held in Berlin on June 22, attracting managers, economists and over 300 Vietnamese and German businesses.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung described Germany as the largest trade partner of Viet Nam in the European Union (EU) and the fifth largest EU investor in the country.
He said two-way trade and investment, however, remained modest, and German businesspeople had not gained a good understanding of the Vietnamese market even though many wanted to invest in the country.
Several Vietnamese and German officials addressed the event, analysing the potential of economic, trade and investment links and mentioned their governments' measures to remove existing hindrances.
The speakers included Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong from the Vietnamese side. The German speakers were State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Uwe Beckmeyer, and Director General for Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development under the Foreign Ministry Dieter Haller.
Officials from both sides appreciated the initiative to open a Germany-Viet Nam trade office, towards the goal of lifting two-way trade to US $20 billion in the next five years.
The participants discussed Viet Nam's competitiveness and ability to attract German small and medium-d enterprises and said Vietnam and Germany should cooperate in mutually-beneficial and supplementary fields.
Economist Vo Tri Thanh said Viet Nam is interested in developing small and medium-d enterprises and hopes for further German assistance in the field.
Concluding the event, Ambassador Hung said the embassy will thoroughly consider recommendations, especially ways to boost bilateral ties, and report to the government, ministries and agencies. He also pledged support for businesses in the embassy's capacity.
