Piaggio Viet Nam, a subsidiary of Piaggio Group, Europe's largest bike maker, it began production in Viet Nam in June 2009.— File Photo

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Italy considers Viet Nam a strategic partner in the political, educational, and economic spheres, the country's ambassador to Viet Nam told the Italian Business Forum in HCM City yesterday.

Speaking at the event organised to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Lorenzo Angeloni said his country seeks to intensify co-operation and strengthen the relationship.

Hailing the similarities between the two countries' cultures – like appreciating family values – he said Viet Nam enjoys a rapid rate of development and an important geographic location.

In the context of increasing growth in Asia and low growth in the EU, Viet Nam could act as a gateway to other Asian countries like China and Japan, he said.

Italy plans to open a consulate in HCM City on December 30 this year, he added.

Palma Costi, president of the legislative assembly of the Emilia-Romagna Region, said this was the first visit to Viet Nam by entrepreneurs from his region.

The meetings were organized by Italian Trade Commission (ICE), Italian Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (ICHAM), and will also be held in Ha Noi tomorrow..— Photo FinancePlus

Emilia-Romagna is one of the richest regions in Italy and has more than 50,000 small and medium-sized enterprises based there.

Carlo Alberto Roncarati, vice president of the Regional Association of Chamber of Commerce (Unioncamere) of Italy, said the region is home to well-known global brands like Ferrari, Ducati, and Lamborghini.

The region wants to set up an industrial cluster for the Italian SMEs in Viet Nam, he said.

There were business-to-business meetings between 20 Italian machinery manufacturers and more than 100 potential Vietnamese partners.

The meetings were organized by Italian Trade Commission (ICE), Italian Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (ICHAM), and will also be held in Ha Noi tomorrow.

The forum was organised within the framework of "Destination Viet Nam", a project financed by Unioncamere Emilia-Romagna and Emilia-Romagna Region to reinforce not only economic and industrial, but also cultural and social relations between the two countries.

It was organised by the National Association of Chambers of Commerce of Italy, Regional Association of Chamber of Commerce of Italy, and Emilia-Romagna Region along with ICE, ICHAM, Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency, and other institutional partners and business associations. — VNS