More opportunities for business cooperation are emerging for Vietnamese and Norwegian businesses, especially once the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association, which comprises Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, is signed, a workshop heard on October 15.

Jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Norway and the Oslo Chamber of Commerce, the workshop presented Norwegian enterprises with an overview of the business climate in the Southeast Asian country.

The embassy’s Trade Counsellor Vu Chien Thang pointed to Vietnam’s cooperation potential in maritime services, aquaculture, renewable energy, oil and gas, and information technology.

Duong Ngoc Tuan, Director of Hai Phong’s Planning and Investment Department, introduced participants to the northern port city’s business environment. He expressed his hope to boost exports of footwear, garments and seafood to Norway, and attract investments from the country in shipbuilding, support industries, information technology and aquaculture.

Representatives from several Norwegian companies, such as ORKLA ASA, EWOS Group and SN Power, shared their experience in operating in Vietnam.

Difficulties in running a business still remain, they said, however, the challenges could be dealt with if enterprises abide by the law and coordinate closely with Vietnamese partners.

Vietnam is a promising destination for Norwegian companies in Southeast Asia and acts as an entry point into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), they added.-VNA