Leipzig trade fair helps promote Vietnam-Germany cooperation: German officials

Hanoi (VNA) - The 2019 Leipzig Trade Fair is a good opportunity to promote cooperation between Germany’s Leipzig and Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnam and Germany, said German officials.
                                                                                                              
Vietnam was the main country partner of the event, which began in Leipzig city of Germany’s Sachsen-Anhalt state on February 23, for the first time. 

More than 40 businesses from Ho Chi Minh City are showcasing their products at the fair, including farm produce, handicrafts, food, leather and footwear. 

Talking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Germany, Managing Director of the fair Martin Buhl-Wagner said booths of firms from HCM City, which has set up twining ties with Leipzig, have left a very good impression on visitors to the fair as they offer a space of Vietnamese culture and cuisine.

According to him, the Vietnamese community in Leipzig has significantly contributed to both economic cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and Germany.

Reiner Haselhoff, Governor of Sachsen - Anhalt state said the Vietnamese community in Leipzig has played important role in Leipzig’s economic development, especially in handicraft industry.

The Vietnamese community in Leipzig is a good example of effective comprehensive integration, he affirmed.

Meanwhile, in his speech at the fair, Mayor of Leipzig Burkhard Jung expressed his pleasure that Vietnam is the main partner of this year's fair.

Leipzig is the first German city to have a representative office at the German House in HCM City, he said, adding that this helps enhance cooperation between the two countries and their cities.

Peter Wollseifer - President of the Central Association of German Crafts also highlighted the importance of Vietnam-German cooperation.

The successful collaboration between the two nations in terms of vocational training and labour exchange has helped make bilateral relations stronger, he said, noting that the maintenance of cooperative ties like this is very important, especially with protectionism rising worldwide.

The Leipzig Trade Fair, which will last until March 3, is one of the biggest and most successful consumer fairs in Germany, attracting about 1,000 firms from 20 countries and territories this year.

A Vietnam-Germany trade and investment forum will be held during the fair.-VNA