The authorities of Belgium’s East Flanders province on September 10 held a workshop with a hope of helping Belgian businesses better understanding business opportunities in Vietnam.

As part of the 2014 ACCENTA Flanders International Trade Fair in Ghent city, the event attracted numerous local firms and those from Vietnam’s Mekong Delta Can Tho city, which are showcasing their products the fair.

With the theme “Vietnam - an attractive destination for your business”, participants were provided with information on Vietnam’s economic growth and potential for development.

Luong Van Ly from Vietnam’s VLT Law Firm briefed attendees on the Vietnamese government’s economic and investment policies as well as business laws, saying that Vietnam is active in improving investment environment so as to lure more foreign investors, including those from Belgium.

Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Angelet Bruno emphasised growing economic cooperation between the two countries with bilateral trade rising by 70 percent in the 2003-2012 period.

Belgium is now Vietnam’s sixth largest trade partner in Europe and the annual two-way trade between the two countries hits 1.2 billion EUR.

Vietnam has advantages and opportunities to attract investment from firms in the Flanders region, said, Ralph Moreau from the Flanders Investment and Trade Office.

The region is working with Ho Chi Minh City and the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong in seaport development and vegetable and flower farming, he said, adding it has helped Vietnam in education.-VNA