“Meet Vietnam" Forum signals new cooperation opportunities

More than 30 Vietnamese businesses and their French 100 counterparts examined ways to spur broader cooperation in the areas of Vietnam’s demand and France’s strength at a recent “Meet Vietnam” Forum in Paris.

Addressing the forum, French Agency for International Business Development (UBIFRANCE) CEO Muriel Penicaud cited Vietnam as one of French businesses’ major priorities for export-import and investment.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa giving a speech at the forum.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa said the forum aims to help the business community and investors of both countries meet bilateral and multilateral trade mechanisms Vietnam are negotiating to engage in, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which is expected for completion by the end of this year.

"We are paying heed to further upgrading transport infrastructure in Vietnam and calling for energy investment, especially renewable energy as the electricity growth rate has now doubled GDP growth rate.

With 70% of the agricultural labor force, we are desirous of boosting cooperation with French investors in agricultural product processing for exports to the European market and imports of footwear and garments from Vietnam.” Thoa noted.

UBIFRANCE CEO Muriel Penicaud.

She also expressed hope that the forum will open up a new chapter in the Vietnam-France economic relations.

Vietnam Ambassador to France Duong Chi Dung was also bullish on new directions of cooperation in the areas that are in Vietnam’s demand and France are experienced  like renewable energy, services, pharmaceutical industry and agricultural product processing.

UBIFRANCE Vietnam Chief Representative Marc Cagnard.

Responding to a Paris-based Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV) correspondent about France’s strengths to meet Vietnam’s requirements for development, Muriel Penicaud said, "The energy sector and infrastructure development play an important role in France’s development and our world leading groups in this field, including small and medium companies have partnered with foreign countries in the form of partnerships and technological transfer.

Vietnam should increase cooperation with France in potential fields like farm produce processing and pharmaceuticals.”

Muriel Penicaud urged Vietnamese businesses to heavily invest in France and pledged her agency’s support for them.

Dasault Systemes Group Vice President Philippe Forestier.

Having many years of UBIFRANCE management experience in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, UBIFRANCE Vietnam Chief Representative Marc Cagnard stated, "There are wealthy of opportunity for Vietnamese and French businesses to invest in the areas of their particular strengths-transport infrastructure, energy and the environment and agriculture, telecommunications, and communication.”

According to Dasault Systemes Group Vice President Philippe Forestier who has accumulated a great deal of successful business experience in Vietnam, despite long geographical distance, Vietnam is still seen as an attractive destination for French businesses.

Talking to a VOV reporter, Forestier emphasized, "Vietnam’s business environment is appealing to us thanks to a 90 million people dynamic market and young labour force. Vietnam will see rapid development in the future and is open to scientific advances, creativities and digital technology ".

The "Meet Vietnam" forum is instrumental in helping Vietnam reach a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU by the end of this year, paying the way for the country fully utilize good investment opportunities presented by the EVFTA.

VOV

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