Viet Nam's Ambassador to Italy, Nguyen Hoang Long (second from right) speaks at the event. — VNS Photo Duc Hoa

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — A number of businesses from the Lazio region in Italy, considered a major centre of diplomatic and commercial activity, have shown interest in the young, dynamic Vietnamese market.

Addressing a workshop earlier this week, Viet Nam's Ambassador to Italy, Nguyen Hoang Long, said consumer demand in his country was increasing, with made-in-Italy products soaring in popularity.

He called on Italian businesses to financially assist Viet Nam in seed selection, technological application, manufacturing activities, trademark promotion and market penetration.

Long said he hoped that active negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Viet Nam and the European Union (EU) and the separate agreements struck between Viet Nam and Italy would help boost Vietnamese exports to EU countries by 30 to 40 per cent, and EU exports to Viet Nam by 20 to 25 per cent.— VNS