VietNamNet Bridge – As many as 130 businesses from Vietnam and Greece attended a forum in Hanoi on October 14 to explore opportunities for cooperation and establish long-term partnerships.

Addressing the forum, VCCI Vice President Doan Duy Khuong noted that even though Vietnam and Greece established their diplomatic ties in 1975, two-way trade value has remained modest, standing at more than US$88 million in 2007 and US$73 million in the first six months of this year.

According to Mr Khuong, both Vietnam and Greece are dynamic economies that can support each other in their development process. Vietnam has been integrating deeply into the world economy after joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Besides its large market of more than 80 million consumers, Vietnam acts as the gateway to the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area. Meanwhile, located in Southern Europe, Greece is the gateway to the huge and lucrative European Union market.

The Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Le Danh Vinh, highlighted Vietnam’s achievements in socio-economic development and international economic integration. He affirmed that the country is an attractive destination for foreign investors, citing its advantages, including its favourable geographical location, political stability and young, skilled and educated workforce. He expressed his belief that with great support from the two Governments, bilateral cooperation, especially in economics, trade, maritime transport, tourism and culture, will further develop in the 21^st century.

On behalf of the Greek Government, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Petros Doukas affirmed that his government creates favourable conditions for its business community to expand trade and investment with other countries, including Vietnam. He called on the two business communities to conduct more regular exchanges to explore their capabilities and establish long-term partnerships for the sake of their common interests.

Marios Mitromaras, sale manager of the Intralot Asia-Pacific, and Alan Cany, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Eurocham), shared their experiences in doing business in Vietnam and said that Vietnam is an ideal place for investment.

Alan Cany said that since Vietnam joined the WTO in early 2007, its investment environment has improved significantly, thus creating waves of foreign capital flowing into the country. According to him, European businesses feel at ease while operating in Vietnam, particularly after the Government adopted effective solutions to minimise the negative impact of the global economic downturn.

Greece should consider Vietnam as a production base in Asia, he assured Greek businesses.

During President Papoulias’s visit, the two countries signed a number of cooperation agreements, including an agreement on investment promotion and protection, an agreement on energy cooperation, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, as well as economic, industrial and tourism deals.

President Papoulias is accompanied by representatives of 35 leading businesses that operate in pharmaceuticals, cooking, confections, rice and farm produce processing, cotton fibre, vegetable oil, construction, shipbuilding, wood products, electrical appliances, cosmetics, gardening tools, goods distribution, consulting, banking services, insurance, lotteries, renewable energy, education, tourism and software.

(Source: VOV)