Embassy promotes trade links between Vietnam, Italy’s Emilia Romagna region

At the investment promotion workshop (Photo: VNA)

Rome (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to ItalyDuong Hai Hung has paid a working visit to the northern region of EmiliaRomagna, which now accounts for more than 50% of the European country’s totalexport value to Vietnam, and attended a series of networking events between thelocal authorities and firms and their Vietnamese partners.

During the visit, taking place on November 8 and 9, the diplomataddressed a workshop that promoted investment cooperation between Binh Phuocprovince in southern Vietnam and the Italian region.

He highlighted factors that contribute to Vietnam's attraction to investors, including political stability, a golden workforce, a favourable business environment and benefits from the 15 free trade agreements that Vietnam is a member, including the EVFTA. 

The ambassador recommended that Italian firms can invest in sectors suitableto Binh Phuoc’s attention and Emilia Romagna’s strength such as environmentally friendly high technology, financial service, logistics, supportindustries, industry, and high-tech agriculture.

Hung stated the embassy considers economic diplomacy a toppriority and is willing to accompany and assist Vietnamese and Italian localitiesand enterprises in tapping potential of each other's market and business-investmentopportunities.

Meeting with Matteo Lepore, mayor of the region’s capital Bologna,the ambassador said the Vietnam-Italy traditional friendship and strategic partnershiplay the basis for Vietnam and Bologna to team up in the sectors of small- andmedium-sized enterprises, machine building, high-tech production, andhigh-quality human resources training.

Lepore affirmed the city’s willingness to accompany local businessdelegation to visit Vietnam seeking investment and trade opportunities andagreed to support the embassy’s organisation of cultural and economicactivities in Bologna next year – when Vietnam and Italy will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

While in the region, Hung visited President of theItaly-ASEAN Association Romano Prodi, who vowed to do his best in contributionto the development of Vietnam’s ties with Italy and the EU.

Hung proposed the official, who is also former President ofthe European Commission (EC) and former Prime Minister of Italy, help speed upItaly’s ratification of the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA),the EC’s removal of its yellow card for Vietnamese seafood, and implement anumber of initiatives within the framework of the Italy - ASEAN developmentpartnership./.

VNA