Opening the function, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Vu HuyHoang said bilateral relations have been flourishing, especially sincethe establishment of their strategic partnership in 2011.
From 2000 to 2013, two-way trade turnover jumped by 7.5 times to 7.7billion USD and stood at 2.34 billion USD in the first four months of2014.
Germany is currently the largest Europeantrade partner of Vietnam, accounting for 20 percent of the SoutheastAsian country’s total exports to Europe, he noted.
In addition, there were nearly 230 German projects in Vietnam with aregistered capital of 1.246 billion USD as of the end of May.
There are a lot of good opportunities for the two countries to expandtheir cooperation, particularly when Vietnam and EU are working hard tosoon conclude EVFTA negotiations in 2014, the minister stressed.
During the forum, participants scrutinised opportunities as well aschallenges of investment cooperation and sought ways to boost tradeties.
They said the EVFTA will have major impactsonce it takes effect since apart from benefits, the agreement will alsorequire Vietnamese enterprises to ensure their goods meeting EU’s strictregulations.
The Vietnamese side asked Germanbusinesses to consider cooperation in the supply of material sources andsupporting industries to help Vietnam ease its dependence on importedmaterials.
At the event, Vietnamese officials answered queries about policies on German firms in Vietnam.
Earlier, Minister Hoang had a working session with German ViceChancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who is also Minister for Economic Affairs andEnergy.
They discussed measures to strengthenbilateral partnership in economics, trade and investment, speed up theprogress of EVFTA negotiations, and prepare for the Asia – PacificConference of German Business in Ho Chi Minh City this November.
Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel affirmed that his country supports the conclusion of EVFTA negotiations this year.-VNA