Vietnamplus

Ho Chi Minh City always considers the European Union (EU) its top partner, especially after Vietnam and the union declared to conclude negotiations on their free trade agreement (FTA) last August.

The Prime Minister approved the extension of the EU-funded Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity Development Programme till November 10, 2016.

The EU is willing to help Vietnam make inroads into the region’s market and take full advantage of the free trade agreement between the two sides.

President of the Belgian Senate Christine Defraigne will lead a high-ranking delegation on an official visit to Vietnam from November 1 to 8.

Recent landmark agreements have laid a solid foundation for a political and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the European Union (EU).

Some 100 business-to-business meetings are tailored during “Lifestyle Trade Mission to Vietnam 2015”, a Vietnam-EU trade promotion programme held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from October 27-30.

ASEAN and the EU agreed to intensify human rights cooperation and policy dialogues at a series of events during an ASEAN delegation’s visit to Belgium’s Brussels from October 19 to 25.

Experts pointed out opportunities and challenges facing local businesses and authorities once an FTA between Vietnam and the EU is signed while at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on October 26.

The Czech Government backs the early completion of negotiations on and signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Union, affirmed Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek.

The EU and ASEAN on October 20 launched a three-year programme to enhance border management and security across the ASEAN region.

Observers from the EU will be allowed to access polls in military bases during Myanmar’s general election slated for November 8.

More Vietnamese and foreign entrepreneurs are realising how they could benefit from investing in the environmental goods and services (EGS) sector in Vietnam, experts said at a forum on October 16.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) from the European Union (EU) to Vietnam is recovering this year after a downtrend since 2011.

Vietnam and European experts have discussed policies and laws ensuring belief and religious freedom in Vietnam.

Vietnam has seen an increase in the number of tourist arrivals in recent months, ending the declining trend seen since the beginning of this year.

Dau Anh Tuan, Head of the Legal Department of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, spoke to the newspaper Hai Quan about challenges facing businesses as they turn to the outside world.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote links between Vietnamese localities and German businesses has been signed in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Euro Presse Image on September 26 ran an article on Vietnam’s preparations for the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) with a positive social-economic record.

Claudio Dordi, Chief Advisor of the EU-MUTRAP has suggested Vietnamese garment-textile and leather footwear businesses pay more attention to product origin rules and increase distribution channels.

The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) organised a workshop entilted “Urban – regional plans and development in the European Union and policy suggestions for Vietnam” in Hanoi on September 25.