Vietnamese businesses and their counterparts from Zhengzhou city in the Chinese central province of Henan sought ways to further promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation at a seminar in Hanoi on June 21.

Jointly organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Zhengzhou municipal Bureau of Commerce, the event aimed to increasingly develop Vietnam-China economic and trade cooperation.

Hu Suojin, Economic and Trade Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, said that with common efforts, economic and trade cooperation between Zhengzhou city and Vietnam would be stronger, adding that the embassy would do its utmost to foster the two countries’ cooperative ties and friendly relations.

Pham Quang Thinh, Deputy Director of International Relations Department of VCCI said that VCCI would serve as a bridge, creating the most favourable conditions for businesses from Zhengzhou city to expand investment and cooperation with Vietnamese partners.

The event also offered businesses a chance to find out about the 17 th Zhengzhou Commodity Fair and Consumer Goods Expo with pavilions designed for commodities from Southeast Asia, including electronics, machinery, chemicals, garment, pharmaceuticals, energy resources, minerals, household electronic appliances, construction materials and foodstuff.

The leader of Zhengzhou municipal Bureau of Commerce affirmed that municipal authorities would put forward incentive policies and services for Southeast Asian customers, including Vietnamese businesses, to help them expand markets from the central region to neighbouring provinces of Anhui, Shanxi, Hubei, Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia) and Liaoning.

Last year, two-way trade between Vietnam and China reached 27.3 billion USD, a year-on-year rise of 29.8 percent.

So far, China has invested 749 projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of 3.184 billion USD, with most projects carried out successfully and bringing benefits for the two countries and businesses./.