Speaking at theVietnam-Slovakia Business Forum in Hanoi on April 11, Pavlis saidhis country possesses strengths in the defence industry, militarytechnology, energy, food, finance, banking, plastic manufacturing,construction, mineral exploitation, information technology andpetrochemistry.
Doan Duy Khuong, Deputy Director ofthe Vietnam Chamber of Industry and Commerce (VCCI), said with 60 yearsof diplomatic ties and similarities in economic structure, politicalstability and market attraction, Vietnam and Slovakia haveabundant potential to develop their trade ties in a deep and broadmanner.
Vietnam , an official member of the WorldTrade Organisation (WTO), can serve as a door for Slovakia ’sproducts to penetrate the ASEAN market. On the other hand, Slovakia ,a member of the European Union, can help Vietnamese goods enter the EUmarket as well as Eastern European countries, Khuong said.
According to Ho Thi Kim Thoa, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade,bilateral trade cooperation between Vietnam and Slovakia has yetto match the potential and aspirations of both countries.
Two-way trade between the countries reached only 300 million USD in2012. Vietnam primarily exports electronic goods, footwear, garmentsand textiles to Slovakia .
As of the end of 2012,Slovakian businesses had five projects in Vietnam with a totalregistered capital of 235 million USD, ranking 31 out of 98 foreigninvestors in Vietnam .
The forum, jointlyorganised by VCCI, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, SlovakInvestment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO Slovakia) and theSlovakian Embassy in Vietnam, is expected to create opportunities forbusinesses from both sides to find partners, boosting bilateral economiccooperation between the two countries in the future.-VNA