Viet Nam’s economic development and advantages in attracting investment were introduced to Belgian enterprises at a conference in Belgium’s southern Mons City on May 10.

Participants at the event highlighted the positive impact of the Viet Nam-EU free trade agreement (EVFTA) and proposed measures to expand import-export activities between the two sides.

Nguyen Canh Cuong, Vietnamese trade counsellor in Belgium, noted that the country has maintained stable development with GDP growth of 6-8 percent, while exports and imports have risen 20-30 per cent each in recent years.

He stressed that abundant business opportunities are available in many areas for potential investors, adding that prospects are bright as the Vietnamese government is in the process of signing the EVFTA.

Meanwhile, Frauker Sommer, who is in charge of the European Union’s bilateral trade with Viet Nam, introduced the EVFTA and gave her assessment on benefits in tariff and import-export brought by the deal as well as comparative advantages for each side and ways for businesses to expand their import-export activities.

She underlined that EVFTA is the best free trade agreement that EU has reached with a developing country.

Speaking to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Belgium, Hainaut Province Governor Tommy Leclercq said the province, the largest locality in Belgium’s Wallonia French-speaking region, hopes to promote economic ties with Viet Nam in various areas, especially in import-export.

He said following the conference, the province would hold a number of business seminars focusing on fields important to Viet Nam and attractive to Belgian investors.

The governor also revealed that the province has plans to send a delegation to Viet Nam in September or October this year to discuss co-operation possibilities with potential partners.

General director of Delaunoit group Jaques Delaunoit said with the support of the European Commission, he has realised feasible investment opportunities in Viet Nam.

According to chairman of the Belgium-Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce Huynh Trang Long, several Belgian businesses are keen on seeking partnership with Viet Nam for stronger economic ties. -— VNS