Reposted from Vietnam Investment Review

Vietnam’s exports to France are expected to earn nearly $1.8 billion by the end of this year, according to a seminar in Paris on May 16.

Participants at the event focused their discussions on bilateral trade ties, Vietnam’s policies on trade, investment and economic development, and its legal environment, as well as investment opportunities in the Southeast Asian country.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Thanh Bien said that Vietnam aims to increase its trade turnover with France by three times compared to 2010, to reach $500 billion by 2020.

To achieve the target, he said, it is essential to implement five synchronous measures, including boosting production, expanding markets, adjusting investment attraction policies, developing infrastructure, and promoting human resource training.

Bien highlighted the European Union (EU)’s vital role in promoting economic and trade relations with Vietnam and other countries and regions around the world. Despite recent fluctuations in the global market, Vietnam’s total export value from France, one of its key EU markets, hit over $500 million in the first four months of this year, he noted.

Vietnamese Embassy envoy Bui Tien Hue stressed the need to build a more effective Vietnam-France partnership in the near future, especially in 2013 when the two countries will celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The seminar was jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in France and the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP) with the theme “Vietnam – France’s important trade and industry partner in Southeast Asia”.

Photo Credit: Vietnam Investment Review