As many as 25 newly appointed ambassadors and consuls general who will leave Vietnam for foreign missions met with VCCI leaders and entrepreneurs with the aim of supporting the business community to enhance business efficiency and international cooperation. The assembly was hosted by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in Hanoi. This is an opportunity for leaders of businesses and associations to express their opinions and expectations to Vietnamese representative agencies in foreign countries. And, this is a chance for heads of Vietnamese representative agencies in foreign countries to exchange, discuss and propose solutions to boosting international cooperation, trade promotion, market development, and performance improvement of enterprises. Dr Vu Tien Loc, VCCI President, said Vietnam now has more than 500,000 businesses but most of them are medium and small. In the context of economic slowdown, boosting foreign trade and attracting foreign investment is important targets that domestic enterprises want to reach. “The assistance of ambassadors in foreign countries is an important bridge for Vietnamese businesses to access economic news, consumer culture and demands in host countries,” he said. Mr Do Huu Hao, Chairman of Vietnam Environment Association, hoped newly appointed ambassadors will study environment, industry and engineering, specially automotive engineering, automation and mechatronics in developed countries, and assist Vietnamese companies to contact partners in host countries. A representative from the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (LEFASO), proposed ambassadors and consuls general of Vietnam in foreign countries support Vietnamese businesses in this industry to seek customers to boost export to traditional markets and expand new markets in Asia, South America, the Middle East and Africa. This is also an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to diversify input supplying markets and seek parts manufacturers to increase localisation to meet commitments in free trade agreements (FTAs) Vietnam signed with other countries and regions. Ms Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh, Chairwoman of Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council (VWEC) hoped that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese embassies in foreign countries to support women entrepreneurs to organise forums, business matches and trade promotion events. VWEC also asked VCCI and ambassadors, specially those taking on missions in ASEAN nations, to coordinate with female entrepreneurs to carry out trade promotion in the region. On behalf of newly appointed ambassadors, Mr Pham Quang Vinh, Deputy Foreign Minister, asserted that ambassadors with their tasks and roles will give maximum supports for Vietnamese enterprises to invest, promote trade with foreign businesses, and introduce the image of Vietnamese businesses to foreign partners intending to invest in Vietnam. “We will try to study and analyse to introduce potential partners to companies concerned“, he said. Deputy FM Vinh added that addresses and contacts of Vietnamese embassies and consulates general in foreign countries are available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: mofa.gov.vn/vi/bng_vietnam/dscqdd/Quynh Chi
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 02:58:59 +0000