The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) coordinated with the British Embassy to hold a forum between the two countries’ business circles in Hanoi on September 30.

The forum, which took place on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Vietnam–UK diplomatic relations, offered an opportunity for both countries’ enterprises to exchange information and seek business and investment cooperation.

Speaking at the forum, Vice Standing Chairman of the VCCI Hoang Van Dung valued British firms’ cooperation in such areas as education and finance–banking in Vietnam.

The UK ranks fourth among European countries investing in Vietnam with 163 projects, capitalised at a total 2.69 billion USD. A number of its businesses in banking, oil and gas, insurance, and especially education, have gained a firm foothold in Vietnam, he added.

Vietnam and the UK are striving to bring their two-way trade turnover to 4.5 billion USD this year. Vietnam ’s staple exports to the UK include garments, tea, coffee and farm produce, while importing machinery and medicine, among others.

Lord Puttnam, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia said Vietnam has a high economic growth, and UK businesses consider the Southeast Asian country a potential destination for investment. He expressed hope that the business circles of the two countries will develop an effective strategy for investment cooperation.-VNA