At the Vietnam – Markham Business Forum (Photo: VNA) The forum, organised by the Vietnam – Canada Friendship Association (VCFA), theCanada – Vietnam Friendship Association (CVFA), the Canada – Vietnam Trade Council, andthe Markham Board of Trade, draw the participation of representatives fromMarkham city, over 20 enterprises in the region, and overseas Vietnamese who sought investment opportunities in the fatherland.
It took place on the occasion of the trip to Canada by the Vietnam Union ofFriendship Organisations (VUFO) to attend activities to mark 50th anniversary of the Vietnam – Canada diplomatic relations.
General Secretary of the VCFA Nguyen Nang Khieu said that the relations betweenVietnam and Canada are in the best shape, especially after both sides upgradedtheir ties to a Comprehensive Partnership and engaged in the Comprehensive andProgressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
He affirmed that people-to-people exchanges have contributed to bolsteringthe trade value between the two sides since 2018.
Last year, two-way trade revenue stood at 7 billion USD, he said, adding thefigure reached nearly 4 billion USD in the first seven months of this year, andboth sides are striving to trade 10 billion USD worth of goods for the whole2023.
Registering nearly 4.9 billion USD in 253 projects in Vietnam, Canada ranks 14th among the countries and territories landing investment in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, vice president in charge of Markham city’s culture and economicdevelopment affairs Amanda Collucci introduced the city’s economic potential aswell as its enterprises’ investment and cooperation activities.
Markham, located in the Greater Toronto Area, is a leading destination forforeign investments in Canada, she said, adding it is also the country’s mostdiverse city with excellent public services and vibrant economy.
At the event, Chairman of Vinacare Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company Tran VanTruong suggested Canadian firms invest in Vietnam’s pharmaceutical industry, elaboratingVietnamese are spending more on health care while the Government has a lot of incentives for the sector.
Enterprises of both sides also discussed legal challenges for bilateral trade andinvestment activities, as well as Canada’s policies in its economic-trade tieswith Vietnam.
The VCFA recommended further cooperation with the CVFA through enhancingpeople-to-people and business exchanges, focusing on three sectors of agriculture,health care and education./.
VNA
