Hanoi (VNA) – Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commissionfor External Relations Hoang Binh Quan on July 17 sent a message ofcongratulations to Mauro Alboresi on his re-election as General Secretary ofthe Italian Communist Party.
Vietnam and Italy set up diplomatic relations in 1973.
Italy is currently the fourth biggest trade partner of Vietnam in the EuropeanUnion while Vietnam is the biggest trade partner of Italy in the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Over the past five years, two-way trade neared 5 billion USDeach year. Within 10 years, from the fourth place, Vietnam hasbecome the largest ASEAN trade partner of Italy.
Both sides are working tolift two-way trade to 6 billion USD for 2017-2018. Vietnam mainly exportsfootwear, aquatic products, coffee and apparel to Italy and imports mechanicalmachinery, transportation vehicles and leather materials.
As of February 2018, Italyranked 31st out of the 128 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with88 projects worth more than 388 million USD. The Italian government has addedVietnam into its list of 10 emerging markets prioritised for trade andinvestment ties.-VNA