Flanders (Belgium) is home to several ports, including Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Ghent, which offer a gateway to Europe. Belgian businesses are capable of directly participating in seaport infrastructure development projects in Vietnam and assisting Vietnamese businesses in terms of technology, while sharing with them the experiences in building port governance models, helping Vietnam effectively manage the use of seaports, modernize and develop logistic services.
Vietnam Economic News spoke with Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works Hilde Crevits during her recent visit to Vietnam.
* Could you share the purpose of your visit to Vietnam this time?
We have visited Vietnam this time to further increase the economic cooperation between the Flemish region of Belgium and Vietnam, focusing on development, management, port infrastructure, logistic services and transport, based on the results of cooperation projects which have been or are being implemented. Through the visit, we want to create more favorable conditions for the two countries to increase bilateral trade, especially the export of key Vietnamese products such as coffee and seafood.
* During the visit, Vietnam and the Flemish region signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on building a tra fish distribution centre at the Belgian port of Zeebrugge. What are your views on this cooperation project?
Under this MoU, all tra fish fillet exports from Vietnam will be distributed via a European distribution center based at Zeebrugge. The fist consignment is expected to be distributed via the port next summer. Apart from tra fish, we expect that Vietnamese shrimp exports will also be distributed via Zeebrugge in the future.
The MoU ensures that all Vietnamese tra fish fillets which meet international standards will enter the European market through a European distribution center based at Zeebrugge Port.
* What do you think of the seaport systems as well as logistic services in Vietnam?
Vietnam is a rapidly developing economy with many seaport systems, but currently it has to cope with big challenges in terms of port development, construction and management.
Overall, Vietnamese logistic businesses are operating in a professional and effective manner. However, Vietnam has revealed weaknesses in managing the logistic network. The country still lacks a suitable seaport governance model which can help it effectively manage the operations of ports and maintain its links with logistic centers all over the world.
* How will Belgium and the Flemish region in particular help Vietnam develop logistics?
The port authorities of the Flemish region, private companies and the regional government are committed to sharing with Vietnam their knowledge and experiences in terms of logistics and trans-border shipments.
Belgian partners are willing to help Vietnam increase the efficiency of domestic seaports and tighten the links between Vietnamese seaports and global port systems.
The Flemish region is willing to share its experiences with Vietnam. Based on our knowledge and the experiences of many years working with the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport, we believe that we can help Vietnam. We will organise training courses to share with Vietnamese officials our technical knowledge.
Belgian businesses are capable of directly participating in seaport infrastructure development projects in Vietnam and assist Vietnamese businesses in terms of technology, sharing with them the experiences in building port governance models, helping Vietnam effectively manage the use of seaports, while modernising and developing logistic services.
I would like to emphasise that the four seaports in our Flemish region offer an important gateway to the European market with 500 million consumers. We pledge to create favorable conditions in terms of customs clearance and logistic services for Vietnamese export products to enter the EU market.-VNA
Vietnam Economic News spoke with Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works Hilde Crevits during her recent visit to Vietnam.
* Could you share the purpose of your visit to Vietnam this time?
We have visited Vietnam this time to further increase the economic cooperation between the Flemish region of Belgium and Vietnam, focusing on development, management, port infrastructure, logistic services and transport, based on the results of cooperation projects which have been or are being implemented. Through the visit, we want to create more favorable conditions for the two countries to increase bilateral trade, especially the export of key Vietnamese products such as coffee and seafood.
* During the visit, Vietnam and the Flemish region signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on building a tra fish distribution centre at the Belgian port of Zeebrugge. What are your views on this cooperation project?
Under this MoU, all tra fish fillet exports from Vietnam will be distributed via a European distribution center based at Zeebrugge. The fist consignment is expected to be distributed via the port next summer. Apart from tra fish, we expect that Vietnamese shrimp exports will also be distributed via Zeebrugge in the future.
The MoU ensures that all Vietnamese tra fish fillets which meet international standards will enter the European market through a European distribution center based at Zeebrugge Port.
* What do you think of the seaport systems as well as logistic services in Vietnam?
Vietnam is a rapidly developing economy with many seaport systems, but currently it has to cope with big challenges in terms of port development, construction and management.
Overall, Vietnamese logistic businesses are operating in a professional and effective manner. However, Vietnam has revealed weaknesses in managing the logistic network. The country still lacks a suitable seaport governance model which can help it effectively manage the operations of ports and maintain its links with logistic centers all over the world.
* How will Belgium and the Flemish region in particular help Vietnam develop logistics?
The port authorities of the Flemish region, private companies and the regional government are committed to sharing with Vietnam their knowledge and experiences in terms of logistics and trans-border shipments.
Belgian partners are willing to help Vietnam increase the efficiency of domestic seaports and tighten the links between Vietnamese seaports and global port systems.
The Flemish region is willing to share its experiences with Vietnam. Based on our knowledge and the experiences of many years working with the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport, we believe that we can help Vietnam. We will organise training courses to share with Vietnamese officials our technical knowledge.
Belgian businesses are capable of directly participating in seaport infrastructure development projects in Vietnam and assist Vietnamese businesses in terms of technology, sharing with them the experiences in building port governance models, helping Vietnam effectively manage the use of seaports, while modernising and developing logistic services.
I would like to emphasise that the four seaports in our Flemish region offer an important gateway to the European market with 500 million consumers. We pledge to create favorable conditions in terms of customs clearance and logistic services for Vietnamese export products to enter the EU market.-VNA
