At the seminar, VIFA President Nguyen Van Nam said the bilateral collaboration is growing robustly after the two countries elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership.
For her part, Italian Vice Ambassador to Vietnam Natalia Sanginiti noted that Vietnam has become an important partner of her country in ASEAN. She also said that an increasing number of Italian firms is choosing Vietnam as their potential investment destination. Meanwhile, Italy is also a top EU partner of Vietnam in multiple fields from politics and development cooperation to trade and technology.
Mr.Tran Thanh Hai, Vice Director of the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, called on Italy to encourage the EU to soon recognise Vietnam’s market economy status and help the country build capacity in implementing the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement. Both governments should devise policies to promote Italian investments in Vietnam, particularly in infrastructure, garment, footwear, support industry, energy and tourism, he said.
He also said Vietnam and Italy should improve their cooperation in high-tech and support industries. By using its more advanced technologies, Italy can help develop manufacturing, farming and climate change adaptation in Vietnam, Mr.Tran Thanh Hai added.
Ms.Natalia Sanginiti stressed both sides need to enhance trade-investment ties and prioritise a number of joint projects, particularly in the sectors of health and food safety. Other attendances suggested that Vietnam and Italy should strengthen their cooperation in all areas, especially trade and investment.
The VIFA also held a small meeting in celebration of its 30th founding anniversary on the same day. At this event, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Cecilia Piccioni lauded the operation of the VIFA and its collaboration with her agency in making cooperation between Vietnam and Italy stronger.
