At the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam-Russia Interregional Business Forum and theExpo Russia-Vietnam 2019 officially kicked off at the National ExhibitionConstruction Centre in Hanoi on November 14.
Opening the forum,Nguyen Tuan Hai, Director of the International Relations Department under theVietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), spoke highly of the Zarubezh-Expo JSC’s close coordination in organizing the events.
Hai said theevent drew the participation of a large number of businesses from bothcountries, proving that Vietnam has become an attractive destination for manyRussian enterprises.
Just twoyears after the signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, Vietnam-Russia trade has seenstrong growth, at around 30 percent each year, he said.
According to the official, Russia currently ranks 24th out of129 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 123 projects worth 932million USD. Meanwhile, Vietnam has invested almost 3 billion USD in 22projects in Russia.
The forumwas expected to serve as a chance for Vietnamese companies to meet and seekpartnerships with Russian businesses in a bid to approach the potential Russianmarket, Hai added.
Strozhaeva Lyubov Viktorovna, a representative from the State Duma (lowerhouse) of Russia, said Vietnam is a long-standing and reliable friend of Russiain Southeast Asia.
The bilateral relationship was elevated to the level of comprehensive strategicpartnership which has given a boost to economic and commercial cooperation, sheadded.
As many as 500 Vietnamese and Russian enterprises are showcasing theirlatest products in the fields of building materials, transportation, energy,telecommunications, healthcare and education, among others.
Last year, Vietnam exported 2.5 billion USD worth of products to Russiawhile spending 3.5 billion USD on Russian imports. Most of the goods aremachines, equipment, food and chemicals, among others./.
