Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A seminar promoting trade between
Vietnam and the Chinese province of Shandong took place in Hanoi on June 30.
The participating Chinese delegation includes 10 Shandong-based
firms specialised in software and cloud computing, construction materials, exports-imports,
steel pipes, valve, electrical equipment, farm produce, solar power, crane,
mechanical engineering, automobile and motorbike spare parts.
Speaking at the event, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Doan Duy Khuong said since 2004, China has
become Vietnam’s largest trade partner. It is also the largest importer of
computers and spare parts, natural rubber, coal and rice from the Southeast
Asian nation.
Deputy head of the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s
Foreign Investment Agency Dang Xuan Quang proposed encouraging Chinese
investors, especially those in Shandong, to pour more into support industry,
electricity and electronics, and consumer goods using modern and eco-friendly
technology in Vietnam.
Vietnam eyes attracting private investment in key projects
in road and railway transport, and urban infrastructure in the form of
public-private partnership, he said, adding that the country will continue
issuing policies to develop renewable energy and stand ready to offer all
possible support to investors in the field.
Vice President of the Shandong provincial Committee of the
Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Zhai Lu Ning, expressed hope
that more win-win business opportunities will be open up following the event.
Statistics showed that two-way trade between Vietnam and
China hit 71.9 billion USD last year, up 8 percent annually. Of the figure,
21.97 billion USD was Vietnam’s exports, marking a 28.4 percent rise. Trade
deficit reached 27.96 billion USD, down 13.67 percent.
As of May, the bilateral trade surged 23.6 percent to 32.7
billion USD, 10.6 billion USD of which was Vietnam’s exports, up 41.9 percent,
while imports went up 16.4 percent.
China was the eighth largest investor out of 119 countries
and territories investing in Vietnam with 1,683 projects worth 11.6 billion
USD, mostly in manufacturing industry, energy, real estate, garment,
electronics, and services.-VNA