Vietnamese and German officials said they were optimistic at bilateral trade ties in the years to come, following a gathering to mark the 35 th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in Ho Chi Minh City on September 30.

Nguyen Huu Thien, President of the HCM City Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association, said he believed that the multi-faceted relationship between Vietnam and Germany , including HCM City , would continue to grow and reach a new height.

Germany ’s Consul-General in HCM City , Conrad Cappell, said Germany was Vietnam ’s biggest trading partner in the EU, as two way trade turnover reached 4.6 billion USD in 2009 and is expected to hit 5 billion USD in 2010.

Germany is always interested in the Vietnamese market and is currently carrying out a number of economic and trade projects in Vietnam , he said.

The German diplomat however, acknowledged his country’s low position of the 22 nd in the list of the 90 countries and territories having invested in Vietnam , which he said would change in the years to come.

“More and more German businesses will invest in Vietnam , especially in new energy, bio-technology and information technology, which are Germany ’s strengths,” Cappell emphasised.

He announced that a 120-strong trade mission would conduct market research in Vietnam in November.

The two officials shared the view that the Vietnamese community in Germany , with a population of nearly 100,000, tens of thousands of academics and former workers and specialists will serve as a bridge to connect both peoples together and help boost bilateral relations./.