The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho will promote trade in Belgium on the occasion of the forthcoming Accenta Trade Fair which is slated to take place in September in the Belgian city of Ghent.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Thanh Thong made the remarks at a working session with local businesses on March 25.

Thong highlighted the international trade fair that will showcase a variety of products such as handicrafts, fine arts, seafood and footwear.

He described this as an opportunity for local enterprises to seek partners and expand markets in Belgium and Europe.

Can Tho and Belgium have enjoyed cooperative ties over the past three decades, based on the collaboration between Can Tho and Ghent universities. The latter has helped Can Tho University apply scientific achievements in seafood, agriculture and environment.

Belgium is Vietnam’s sixth biggest European trade partner.

Two-way trade is estimated at 1.2 billion EUR (1.7 million USD) each year. Vietnam mainly exports footwear, garment-textiles, fruits and vegetables to Belgium while importing transport and telecommunication services.

Belgian businesses in Vietnam have more actively engaged in the fields of waste treatment, environmental sanitation and medical equipment.

Both countries are also working together in the aerospace industry.

As the fourth largest city of Vietnam, Can Tho has trade relationships with over 80 countries and territories from across the world. Besides the traditional markets of Japan, the US and the EU, the city has also expanded its export markets to the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe.-VNA