Processing frozen shrimp for export (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) will support and facilitate business opportunities for Vietnamese and Slovenian firms in both countries, said Deputy Minister Ho Thi Thoa.
In her speech at a Vietnam-Slovenia business forum in Hanoi on November 13, Deputy Minster Thoa suggested the sides step up economic and investment cooperation, especially in the paper industry, electronics, maritime transport, logistics and processing-related fields.
Slovakia is a crucial bridge that helps Vietnamese goods make inroads into the EU, she stated, affirming that Vietnam is willing to assist Slovenian firms in accessing ASEAN markets.
Ante Milevoj from Slovenia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry introduced participants to Slovenia’s market characteristics, saying the country has the highest income per capita among the EU’s new member nations.
Vietnam established embassy-level diplomatic ties with Slovenia in June 1994. Two-way trade has recorded considerable development, up 10 times from 2005 to 2014.
Vietnam-Slovenia trade doubled to 125.3 million USD in 2014 from only 59.9 million USD in the previous year. In the first five months of this year, Vietnam’s export to Slovenia turnover valued at 76 million USD, with main exports being aquatic seafood, coffee, rice, footwear, textiles, wood and wooden products, and handicraft products.
According to Slovenian Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Pocicalsek, there are many advantages and opportunities for both countries to boost their connections, especially in heavy industry, sea transport and logistics.
Slovenia wishes to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of water management, bio-technology, nanotechnology, transport and logistics.
The economic cooperation agreement signed between Vietnam and Slovenia and the upcoming enforcement of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) are expected to open up great opportunities for the two countries’ businesses.-VNA
