Vietnamese and Austrian businesses gathered at a forum in Ho Chi Minh City on March 14 to seek ways to strengthen links.
The event was jointly held by the city’s chapter of the Vietnam
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI-HCM), and Austria’s
Carinthia Economic Chamber (CEC).
The Austrian
businesses at the forum chiefly operate in sound device manufacturing,
consultancy services, timber production, delivery service, and
mechanical engineering.
Addressing the event,
VCCI-HCM Chairman Vo Tam Thanh said although trade between Vietnam and
Austria has been increasing, there is room for the two sides to
further boost cooperation.
Vietnam can supply
Austria with numerous products that it has high demand for, such as
wooden products, transportation, foodstuff, spices and electrical
parts, he said.
Thanh added that Vietnam also
hopes to learn from Austria’s experience in energy, manufacturing,
consultancy services in construction, railway links and waste water
treatment.
Two-way trade between Vietnam and
Austria increases by an average of 15-20 percent per year. Last
year, the figure hit 1.222 billion USD, up 195 percent from 2011.
Austrian businesses have 21 projects (primarily in manufacturing,
processing, services and entertainment) in Vietnam with a total
investment of 27 million USD.-VNA