A high-ranking business delegation of over 300 Belgian businesspeople active in various fields, such as water and waste management, transport, port and logistics and healthcare will visit Vietnam this March with the aim of boosting economic, trade and technological cooperation between the two countries.
The Mission will be presided by HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders and 3 regional Ministers.
Belgium and Vietnam established official political and economic relations in 1973. Since then trade between the two countries has grown rapidly, doubling in the last decade. Belgium exports around 275 million USD worth of goods to Vietnam every year, and imports around 848 million USD of Vietnamese goods. Belgium exports chemicals, medicines, steel and other metals and equipment and machinery to Vietnam. Belgium imports footwear, textiles and garments, and vegetable products from Vietnam.
Total FDI from Belgian companies in Vietnam but is much higher if investments from Belgian companies based in Hong Kong or Singapore are taken into account. Belgian companies invest currently amounts to 108 million USD mainly in strategically important sectors such as dredging, port management, health, biotechnology, satellite technology and waste water treatment. Contrary to many international donors, Belgium is increasing its ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) to Vietnam. Currently, Belgium contributes 25 million USD per year, mainly in water sanitation programmes and education and scholarships to aid capacity development. In the future Belgium will also focus on encouraging SME start-ups.
Despite its small size and population, Belgium is a big hitter in global economic terms, with a GDP of over 460 billion USD in 2010. Belgium ranks 12th in the world in terms of imports, and 4th in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) (62 billion USD in 2010). With its strategic location, giving easy access to over 500 million European consumers, a high-quality workforce, a business-friendly economic climate and a highly-rated quality of life, Belgium is considered an attractive place to invest.
Belgian companies show a keen interest to continue and increase their activities in Vietnam. The sectors Belgian companies are looking at are the diamond industry, port services, information and communication technology, high tech, health and chocolate production.
During one week (11 – 16 March 2012), the Belgian Economic Mission will visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. A dense daily programme includes activities that aim to further strengthen economic, social and technological relations between the two countries. The Economic Mission is a great opportunity for Belgian companies to explore the opportunities that the Vietnamese market can offer, and for Vietnamese companies to meet new reliable and high quality business partners.
HRH Prince Philippe and the accompanying Ministerswill meet senior political leaders of Vietnam (President Sang, Vice-President Doan, Prime Minister Dung, as well as several Ministers, such as Ministers of Transport and Finance). Important field visits to industrial zones, such as Dinh Vu Industrial Zone want to show the economic success of currently existing Belgium – Vietnam cooperation. HRH Prince Philippe will witness important signing ceremonies between Belgian and Vietnamese companies, universities and other institutions.
Meanwhile, HRH Princess Mathilde will focus on activities with more society-centred issues, such as `-family medical practice-` or activities around the theme of sustainable agriculture. The Princess will visit archaeological excavations in the presence of Belgian scientists active in this project. She will take part in a project organized by UNICEF with the purpose of highlighting the importance of the protection of children against HIV/AIDS and visit the `Education for All` project for hearing impaired children.
HRH Prince Philippe and Princess Mathildetogether with the Belgian Ministers will take part in the Forum `Space technology and society` aimed at showing the benefits for society of space technology. The Royal couple will also participate in a cultural activity at the Temple of Literature organized by Vietnamese alumni from Belgian universities.
The business delegation, meanwhile, will take part in different seminars:
· “Belgian know how in Port Development, Logistics and Transports" : a seminar where the Belgian know-how in Port development, Transport Infrastructure and Logistics will be presented, and also various Belgian Construction and Port managing , Dredging and Engineering companies will be introduced.
· “Belgian know how in the field of water and waste treatment”, has the purpose of making Belgian know-how on Water and Waste Treatment widely known to Vietnamese companies active in this field. Among many others, the seminar will give the possibility for the introduction of Belgian technology and knowledge on water and waste treatment, for the exchange of information on experiences and expertise with local companies, and for the learning on the structure of decision making levels in the field.
· “Argo Food and Aquaculture Technologies” will give an opportunity to share experience on the question of modernization of the primary sector. During the seminar, the Vietnamese aquaculture sector will be presented, the need for product diversification and the role of farmer associations will be discussed. Also, the role and impact of Belgian development cooperation in capacity building and Belgian specialty products in local aquaculture developments will be introduced.
· “Affordable quality healthcare for all, a Belgian experience” will give the opportunity to learn more about Belgian know-how in quality healthcare. The seminar will focus on both private and public sector health care applications.
There will be organised opportunities for B2B contacts during these seminars and other business meetings for the business delegation.
Nam Pham
Vietnamese
