The Vietnam-Czech business forum (Source: VNA)Speaking at the event, co-organised by the Vietnam Chamberof Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Confederation of Industry of the CzechRepublic, and Czech Republic embassy in Vietnam, PresidentMilos Zeman said as one of the minority ethnic groups in the Czech Republic,the 65,000 Vietnamese community have enjoyed all citizens’ rights equallygranted by the country.
He noted with pleasure Vietnam’s economicdevelopment over the past years with noted economic growth rate.
The President, however, said he is regretful asthere has not been any direct flight between Hanoi and Prague, which hashindered trade and tourism ties between the two countries.
He also suggested Vietnam exempt visa for Czechresidents in order to boost the bilateral tourism and trade links.
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said the Vietnamesegovernment wants to boost cooperation with the Czech Republic in diverse areas,including energy, mining, infrastructure and transport, mechanical engineering,environment, national defence industry, hospital equipment and vocationaltraining.
Statistics showed that two-way trade between the two nationsneared 250 million USD last year. In investment, the Czech Republic poured morethan 100 million USD in 36 projects in Vietnam while Vietnam registered fourprojects worth 5 million USD in the Czech Republic, focusing on real estate.
Deputy PM Hue said such results are encouraging but yet tomatch each side’s potential.
He expressed his belief that the Vietnam – European Union freetrade agreement, which is expected to take effect in 2018, will be strategic tomaking a turning point in cooperative ties between Vietnam and the EU ingeneral and Vietnam and the Czech Republic in particular.
According to VCCI VicePresident Doan Duy Khuong, the Czech Republic is one of the strategic exportmarkets of Vietnamese businesses.
The Czech Republic is a gateway for Vietnamesegoods to reach other European countries, while Vietnam can help Czech goodsaccess the 600-million Southeast Asian market, he said.
The forum has created an opportunity for the twocountries’ businesses to exchange experience and expand the market.-VNA
VNA
