Vietnam-Belgium-Luxembourg Relationships Developed in Various Fields

Acting upon the guideline that Vietnam is ready to be a friend and reliable partner of all countries in the international community, the Vietnamese government has endorsed the Comprehensive Project on Vietnam-EU cooperation to 2010. The project is the first of its kind and within the long-term cooperation with Vietnamese partners. The project comprises of specific measures to promote the exchanges with EU, including the Kingdom of Belgium and The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in all fields : politics, economy, trade, industry, banking, science, education, culture, information, health, and intellectual property.

 

Vietnam and Belgium established diplomatic relations in 1973. The two countries have signed several cooperation agreements and documents establishing a firm foundation for the stable, long-term and reliable bilateral relations such as 1977 frame agreement on economic, industrial and technological cooperation, 1991 agreement on investment encouragement and protection, 1996 agreement on non-double taxation, and the 2002 agreement on science and technology cooperation.

 

Today, the bilateral relation of friendship and cooperation has been elevated to a new height. The two countries have exchange visits of all levels including top level. On the Vietnamese side were the visits by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, President Tran Duc Luong and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. On Belgian side were the visits of H.R.H. Crown Prince Phillipe accompanied by an important economic delegation and many Belgian ministers.

 

Vietnam is the only Asian country still receiving Belgian ODA. Since 1993, Belgium has granted Vietnam US$120 million in ODA. Belgian projects are implemented by all channels; bilateral, multilateral, NGO and university cooperation. The cooperation is mainly in the areas of agriculture and rural development, education and training, health, environment, administrative reform. Many successful programmes have become models of Vietnam-Belgium relations of friendship and cooperation such as project of small credits to help women in poor Vietnamese villages develop household economy. Vietnamese government and people highly value the precious and efficient support and assistance of Belgian government and people to the renovation and international economic integration of Vietnam.

 

Belgium is an important trade partner of Vietnam in the EU. The two-way trade turnover is some Euro700 million a year. So far, Belgium has 25 investment projects in Vietnam with a total of US$74 million investing in heavy industry, food processing, agriculture, forestry, transport, post, service, construction, diamond and gem processing. The bilateral cooperation is also successful in other areas namely culture, education and training, science and technology, and national defence.

 

Vietnam-Luxembourg relationship has also been developed in various fields. The two countries have exchanged high-level visits namely the visits to Luxembourg by Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam and to Vietnam by Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lydie Polfer. The two countries have signed several bilateral cooperation agreements such as frame agreement on cooperation, agreement on non-double taxation.

 

Since 1999, Luxembourg has put forth a “Strategy for development cooperation between Luxembourg and Vietnam” reaffirming Vietnam as one of the ten programme countries of Luxembourg. Luxembourg has increased grant aid to Vietnam from Euro5-6 million a year to Euro35 million for 2002-2005.

 

Currently, Luxembourg has 15 investment projects in Vietnam with a total capital of US$810 million and implemented capital of US$15.4 million. The bilateral trade value is some US$6 million a year.

 

Though the economic cooperation between Vietnam, Belgium and Luxembourg remain modest and haven’t reached the same level as the political will displayed between the countries, they are valuable and important in the interests of bilateral relations, of peace and development in the region and the world.

Vietnam Days in Belgium and Luxembourg are joint efforts to promote all-sided cooperation. The Vietnamese side will have the chance to gain an understanding of the specific conditions of economic relations and markets in Belgium and Luxembourg. With Belgium and Luxembourg as two WTO members, Vietnam Days held in the two countries will be the first steps in the accession to WTO. They are also opportunities to introduce Vietnamese historical and cultural traditions as well as new efforts in economic development and integration.

 

It is true that Vietnam has been invited for the first time as guest of honour at ACCENTA international trade fair. The Organizing Committee has reserved a large area and special programme for Vietnam. Therefore, it is a valuable chance for Vietnam to promote trade, tourism and investment.

 

We hope that the event will provide Belgian, Luxembourg and European businesses more information on investment environment and business opportunities in Vietnam and by direct contacts with Vietnamese businesses and related authorities they can finalize investment and business opportunities in Vietnam.

 

For Vietnamese businesses, they can meet with partners and introduce their products at an important international trade fair and at the same time can conduct market survey in Belgium, Luxembourg and Europe. As guest of honour with a special area at the trade fair, Vietnam can attract the attention and interests of the businesses and visitors.

Vietnam Days in foreign countries are effective events to introduce Vietnamese culture and history, develop economic cooperation, trade, investment and tourism and promote relations of friendship and cooperation.

In spite of economic size, Belgium and Luxembourg in the centre of Europe maintain good relations with Vietnam. Therefore, Vietnam Days in Belgium and Luxembourg will attract more investments and tourists to Vietnam, expanding trade not only with the two countries but also Europe as a whole.

 

We expect that the events will help promote Vietnamese images and potentials, provide more information, increase friendship and attract more tourists to Vietnam.

 

The events will also help entrepreneurs in Belgium. Luxembourg and Europe understand better Vietnamese investment environment and business opportunities and develop partnership in Vietnam. For their part, Vietnamese businesses can make market survey, introduce products and met with counterparts and define their business opportunities in those countries.

 

In addition, Vietnam Days will also help promote the unity of the Vietnamese community in Europe, heighten their patriotism, national pride and attachment to the homeland.   

With fine relations of friendship and cooperation in many areas between Vietnam and Belgium and Luxembourg so far, we are sure that those relations will continue to develop to new heights.