In order to further strengthen trade cooperation relations and exchange opportunities for the business communities of the two countries, recently, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ho Chi Minh Branch (VCCI- HCM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Argentina, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religion and the Argentine Embassy in Vietnam, held a "Commercial Exchanges Vietnam - Argentina". The Argentinian business delegation to Vietnam this time includes 150 enterprises which are manufacturers and leading exporters in the fields of agricultural products, food, consumer products, cosmetics, chemicals, IT, logistics, etc. This is a golden opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to exchange, share their experiences and find customers and partners.
As one of the three largest economies in Latin America, Argentina has a developed agriculture and livestock sectors along with key industries such as nuclear, biological, electronic, and information technology ... In recent years, the relationship between Argentina and Vietnam has been constantly improving in all areas, contributing to the economic development of the two countries. According to statistics from the General Department of Customs, the two-way trade turnover between Vietnam - Argentina has continued to rise in recent years, from US$30 million in 2000 to more than US$1 billion in 2011; it’s expected that 2012 will see exports and imports between the two countries surpassing the US$1 billion milestone. However, exports from Vietnam to Argentina are higher than exports from Argentina to Vietnam, so the trade balance problem is of the two governments' special interest.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Guillermo Moreno - State Secretary in charge of commerce said Argentine business delegation to Vietnam this time is part of a national plan with the objective of promoting export; strengthening cooperation in trade and investment with foreign partners, and contributing to economic development in the country. Argentina’s targets are mainly countries with dynamic economies, including Vietnam. Argentina always sees Vietnam as one of the most important trading partners in ASEAN, as a springboard for the country to go deeper into the regional market.
Mr Guillermo Moreno said Argentine enterprises in Vietnam this time, in addition to the introduction and looking for trade partners, also plan to seek long-term investment opportunities and look for suitable sites in Vietnam to set up production plants; and expressed that in the coming years, Vietnamese enterprises will have a visit to Argentina to make trade promotion activities in-depth, practical and efficient.
According to Vietnam’s Ambassador to Argentina, Nguyen Van Dao, Vietnam is rich in agricultural potential, but until now, some of our advantageous agricultural products such as rice and coffee ... have not yet penetrated Argentina’s market. Meanwhile three other sectors have penetrated, including rubber, textiles and shoes but are not very successful in this market with relatively low turnover (nearly US$149 million in 2011). Mr Dao noted that Vietnamese businesses should take advantage of the inherent strengths, boost exports of agricultural goods to Argentina, of which focus on doing good marketing stage, and promoting products through seminars, trade exchanges commerce, e-commerce channels., ...At the meeting, after providing information about preferential policies to support enterprises of the two countries to expand trade and investment cooperation, Thai Van Re, Director of Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City also introduced to Argentina businesses a number of business sectors and areas in which the city are calling for foreign investors, including trades and services with high added value such as: financial, credit, banking, insurance, trade, distribution, telecommunications services and information technology ... Mr Re stressed: "The commercial exchange this time is the great significance for Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular, because this is not only an opportunity for Vietnamese and Argentina businesses looking for suitable partners but also expresses deep concern among the leaders of the two countries in a joint effort to tighten a comprehensive relationship; especially in the field of investment, trade, and tourism ... "
Currently, Argentina exports to Vietnam focus on 12 groups, accounting for 98 percent of exports, including livestock feed ingredients, vegetable oils, seeds and oleaginous fruits, leather and footwear, automotive and spare parts cars, and drugs. While exports from Vietnam to Argentina comprise of more than 18 groups, representing 95 percent of total exports, including footwear, machinery and mechanical equipment, rubber and rubber products, electrical equipment, sports equipment and furniture ...
It is expected that in November, the Council of investment in Argentina also will send a promotion delegation to Vietnam with the participation of eight businesses in the food sector from the provinces of Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Mendoza and Santa Fe.
Gia Phuc
Vietnamese
