In a bid to introduce business and investment realities in Houston (United States) to Vietnamese enterprises and create a chance for Vietnamese companies and Houston-located companies to exchange experience and seek investment cooperation opportunities, the Ho Chi Minh City Branch of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI-HCM) in collaboration with the Greater Houston Partnership (US) successfully organised a seminar entitled " Opportunities for Business and Investment Promotion in Houston, United States."
Houston City, Texas is the fourth largest city in the United States. Not only being a big economic complex, but Houston also is one of the most favourable investment environments with the youngest workforce in the US with an average age of 32.9. Apart from a favourable commercial exchange system with Houston Airport directly connecting 188 international and domestic points, Houston City also has Houston Port - the second largest port in the US by international freight throughput, accounting for 10.7 per cent of imports in the largest economy in the world. Furthermore, this is an important commercial hub for other US cities and American countries such as Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentine.
In recent years, trade between Vietnam and Houston City have continuously expanded. In 2011, two-way trade turnover rose 58 per cent over 2010 and expected to reach US$600 million in 2012. This is a foundation for Vietnamese enterprises to do business in Houston.
Today, Houston is globally famous for its key industries like energy, mechanical engineering, furniture, fashion, chemical, technology, distribution - logistics system and aerospace. Vietnam may export its products of high advantage to this market. Le Dung, Consul General of Vietnam in Houston, recommended Vietnamese enterprises to quickly grasp this opportunity to boost exports to Houston. He explained that when Vietnamese businesses successfully penetrate the Houston market, it will act as a springboard for them to expand their presence to other states.
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To support Vietnamese businesses to promote exports to the US market and look for investment partners in industry and infrastructure sectors, the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency will coordinate with the Consulate General of Vietnam in Houston, the Vietnam Trade Office in New York and relevant authorities of both sides to organise a trade and investment promotion programme in the United States from November 28 to December 6, 2012. This is a golden opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to directly explore and survey the Houston market before making a decision concerning doing business here.
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He believed that Vietnamese businesses could successfully seek out business opportunities in the fourth largest city in the United States. Being a very populous city though, Houston has a complete education and health system and has lower living costs than other cities. Another plus for Vietnamese businesses with the intention of doing business in Houston, is the highly populated Vietnamese community, with over 130,000 expatriates.
Genero Pena, Vice President of the Greater Houston Partnership in charge of international trade and investment, said, with huge potential and advantages plus a relatively complete legal system.,Houston City has been a reliable address for international investors, including Vietnamese. He asserted that Houston is deserved to be an ideal place for Vietnamese enterprises to start business and locate representative offices because the city is quite easy with this affair for Vietnamese businesses, thanks to the support of the Consulate General of Vietnam in Houston, the Greater Houston Partnership - a primary advocate of Houston's business community.
Hong Ha
Vietnamese
