A delegation from Belgium’s Flamand area started a weeklong trip to Vietnam May 6 to explore the investment environment, aiming for long-term business activities in the fast-growing Asian country, state media reported.
This sixth visit to Vietnam since May 7 last year, led by Fientje Moerman, Vice Minister President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Economy, Enterprise, Science, Education, Innovation and Foreign Trade, includes Belgian leaders in the areas of construction, shipping, agricultural processing and horticulture.
During the stay, the foreign mission will meet with government ministries and local authorities from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hai Phong.
Businessmen from the Flamand area, which makes up 80 per cent of Belgium-Vietnam trade, have already proved to be active investors within the country, particularly in Hai Phong’s Dinh Vu Industrial Zone.
As of late March, Belgian companies invested over US$83 million into Vietnam with 29 projects, ranking seventh among European Union investors in the country.
Vietnam’s export turnover to Belgium was estimated to reach EUR650 million (US$846.4 million) in 2006, representing an on-year increase of 20 per cent, local media said.
The Government of Belgium has pledged to provide EUR32 million aid for Vietnam in 2007-10, under a cooperative agreement inked by the two countries on March 9 in Brussels.
The aid will mainly focus on developing human resources, managing water resources, protecting the environment, and improving healthcare service and education quality. (VNA)
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