The seminar drew 100 delegates, including Vietnamese and French business leaders and officials, French ambassador to Vietnam Jean Francois Girault and Vietnamese ambassador to France Le Kinh Tai.

Mr. Tai commented on Vietnam’s drastic renewal over the past 20 years and its relevance to creating the current opportunities for Vietnam and France. He also highlighted Vietnam’s growth potential and strategic position in Southeast Asia, fine political ties that link the two countries.

Former President of the French Senate Christian Poncelet agreed that bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields are developing well, and should be further encouraged.

The UBIFRANCE director for Vietnam, Jean Louis Poli, said Vietnam is growing rapidly and has great co-operative potential and this seminar will help French businesses gain a better understanding of Vietnam’s market, policies and business opportunities. “Vietnam is very dynamic in developing its economy and attracting investment,” he said, “this is a good time for French businesses to expand investment in Vietnam.”

The president of the Financial Consultancy Company, Jean Michel Caldagues, also agreed that Vietnam is a strong potential market and that French businesses should grasp opportunities to step up business in the country.

Marc Villard, the president of the French Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam said, “Vietnam is an important gateway for French businesses to penetrate ASEAN markets.”

As ASEAN’s president, Vietnam is seen as a bridge by which France can access more than 580 million customers in ASEAN. Moreover, according to Asian Development Bank, Vietnam has one of the highest economic growth rates in ASEAN this year. Last year, despite the global economic crisis, Vietnam’s GDP growth still reached 5.3 percent.