Roma (VNA) – Italy hopes Vietnam will continue to connect the European countrywith the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Italian Deputy Minister for Agricultural, Foodand Forestry Policies Andrea Olivero expressed the wish at a workshop themed“Vietnam – gateway to Asia – opportunities for Italian small-and medium-sizedenterprises” held in Rome on January 23.
According to Olivero, the Italian government isvery satisfied with the current development momentum in the two countries’relations thanks to high-level delegation exchanges and stronger cooperation.
Two-way trade has increased in recent years,especially after the two nations established a strategic partnership in 2013,he said.
Vietnam has proved a reliable partner of Italyin the region, he said, adding that Italy is willing to share experience withVietnam in the research and application of new technology.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Cao Chinh Thiendescribed Vietnam as a promising market with a large population of more than 90million.
Vietnam is an ideal destination to developbusiness in automation, footwear, garment-textile, services, fashion andagriculture.
The Southeast Asian country also serves as agateway to access the ASEAN market, offering opportunities for Italianinvestors to bring technology and high-quality goods to Vietnam and other ASEANmember states, Thien added.
Both Vietnam and Italy have strengths inagriculture and their products are supplementary. Italy is famous for cheese,wine and fruit while Vietnam is strong at farm produce and aquatic products.
Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Italy Nguyen DucThanh introduced cooperation opportunities in Vietnam with low production costand numerous preferential policies.
Vietnam is an attractive destination for foreigninvestors, including those from Italy. Vietnam’s participation in multilateraleconomic cooperation agreements creates favourable conditions for Italianbusinesses to invest in the country.
Deputy Minister Olivero told Vietnam News Agencyreporters in Italy on the sidelines of the workshop that Vietnam has astrategic position in ASEAN. The establishment of a strategic partnershipbetween Vietnam and Italy has facilitated bilateral trade exchange, which isexpected to hit 5 billion USD in the near future.
The two countries have great potential indevelopment cooperation, especially among small-and medium-sized enterprises,in food, machinery, equipment and agriculture.-VNA