Italy hopes Vietnam to serve a bridge in ASEAN
Italy hopes Vietnam will continue to connect the European country with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
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| Italian Deputy Minister for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies Andrea Olivero |
According to Olivero, the Italian government is very satisfied with the current development momentum in the two countries’ relations thanks to high-level delegation exchanges and stronger cooperation.
Two-way trade has increased in recent years, especially after the two nations established a strategic partnership in 2013, he said.
Vietnam has proved a reliable partner of Italy in the region, he said, adding that Italy is willing to share experience with Vietnam in the research and application of new technology.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Cao Chinh Thien described Vietnam as a promising market with a large population of more than 90 million.
Vietnam is an ideal destination to develop business in automation, footwear, garment-textile, services, fashion and agriculture.
The Southeast Asian country also serves as a gateway to access the ASEAN market, offering opportunities for Italian investors to bring technology and high-quality goods to Vietnam and other ASEAN member states, Thien added.
Both Vietnam and Italy have strengths in agriculture and their products are supplementary. Italy is famous for cheese, wine and fruit while Vietnam is strong at farm produce and aquatic products.
Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Italy Nguyen Duc Thanh introduced cooperation opportunities in Vietnam with low production cost and numerous preferential policies.
Vietnam is an attractive destination for foreign investors, including those from Italy. Vietnam’s participation in multilateral economic cooperation agreements creates favourable conditions for Italian businesses to invest in the country.
Deputy Minister Olivero told Vietnam News Agency reporters in Italy on the sidelines of the workshop that Vietnam has a strategic position in ASEAN. The establishment of a strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy has facilitated bilateral trade exchange, which is expected to hit US$5 billion in the near future.
The two countries have great potential in development cooperation, especially among small-and medium-sized enterprises, in food, machinery, equipment and agriculture.
