Strengthening Trade between Vietnam and Germany

VIB Forum's reporter held an interview with Mr. Christian- Ludwig Weber Lortsch, German Ambassador to Vietnam about Vietnam-Germany bilateral cooperation.

Could you inform our readers about the relationship of economic cooperation between Germany and Vietnam? How would you describe the development of the bilateral relations since the visit of Chancellor Gehard Schröder to Vietnam?

The number of recent high-ranking visits between Germany and Vietnam proves that relations between the two countries are excellent and continue to grow. Chancellor Schröder visited Hanoi in May 2003 and will return in October 2004 to attend the ASEM 5 summit, while Secretary General Nong Duc Manh met with Chancellor Schröder in Germany in March.

Our bilateral relations cover not only political contacts but also intensive economic and cultural exchanges. New business contracts have been signed and projects launched, ranging across software, engineering and machinery export to infrastructure and the creation of a training and research centre at the Technical University of Dresden, the first of its kind outside Germany.

And as a proof of German inclination for Vietnamese flavours, last year’s coffee export to Germany increased by over 30 per cent.

Can you offer a perspective on future relations between Vietnam and Germany?

I am sure that our relations will continue to grow. There are many examples to be witnessed in political and cultural fields but I would like to add that there is huge potential in the economic sector too. Germany is the biggest trading partner of Vietnam in Europe, a role which we are comfortable with. From here, we would like to even expand this in the future and hopefully see more investment from Germany.

We are closely watching the economic environment. The government has made many efforts to improve the conditions for foreign companies to come to Vietnam. However, there is consensus that a lot still needs to be done. With regard to competition with neighbouring countries and entry into the WTO, I am sure that the government will continue with its reform programme thus increasing the attractiveness of the country as a place for business.

To contribute to the further development of bilateral relations, what are the plans of the German Embassy for the near future? In your opinion, what should Vietnamese do to enhance understanding and cooperation between German and Vietnam?

The Embassy is currently preparing a series of political, economic and cultural visits which will play their part in strengthening our bilateral relations. The most important of these is without doubt the visit of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder who will – apart from attending the ASEM 5 summit - hold bilateral talks with the Vietnamese government.

As for Vietnamese efforts to enhance understanding between Germany and Vietnam, I would like to draw your attention to the potential of tourism. Many German tourists come to South- East Asia but only a small fraction visit Vietnam. Attracting more German tourists here would enable them to learn about Vietnam and its people and take happy memories back home. And maybe some of today’s student-backpackers will one day return as business- partners and readers of your magazine.

• Reported by Hoang Ha