Argentina is interested in importing more of Viet Nam’s agricultural, textile and electronic goods, Juan Carlos Valle Raleigh, Argentine Ambassador in Viet Nam, said on June 4 at a networking event in HCM City.

Organised by Argentina’s Federal Investment Council and the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade), the event was attended by Vietnamese and Argentine businesses promoting their products and finding potential partners.

Valle Raleigh said that coffee, pepper, textiles and electronic component imports from Viet Nam were regarded as high quality, reasonably priced and well received in his country. The volume of these imports to Argentina would continue to rise in coming years, he said.

“To improve trade between the two countries, there has to be more networking opportunities for businesses from both sides, which has been lacking so far. Both governments have been organising fairs, exhibitions and networking events so businesses can research the markets and find partnerships,” Valle Raleigh said.

Adan Humberto Bahl, vice governor of Argentina’s Entre Rios Province, said the government and officials would continue to create favourable conditions and opportunities, but trade promotion would rely heavily on the effort of businesses from both sides.

According to Bui Thi Thanh An, deputy director of Vietrade, Argentine businesses export many products that are not available in Viet Nam, and the networking event offered a great opportunity for both sides to strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

In the first four months of 2018, Viet Nam exported around $170 million to Argentina and imported around $950 million. Both figures are around 25 per cent higher than the same period last year, according to Valle Raleigh.

On June 1, the Argentine business delegation visited Ha Noi to work with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other Vietnamese officials.

The PM encouraged Argentina to import more Vietnamese goods such as coffee, rice and textiles to achieve a more balanced trade between the two nations. He also encouraged technology firms in Argentina to invest in Viet Nam.

In 2017, trade between Argentina and Viet Nam was at US$3 billion. Viet Nam exported $500 million worth of goods to Argentina.

Both countries aim for a bilateral trade turnover of around $5 billion within the next five years. – VNS