The close-knit nature of the economic and trade relationship between Vietnam and Belgium was highly appreciated at the Vietnam-Belgium Business Forum held on December 1, 2023, in the capital city of Brussels. The event, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium, and the Belgium-Vietnam Alliance, garnered special attention from the business community, with more than 50 companies participating, including Entrepreneur Lai Nguyễn, the CEO of Vinatoken Company.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien speaking at the forum.
The event was chaired by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, with the presence of the Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium, Nguyen Van Thao, and the President of the Belgium-Vietnam Alliance, Mr. Andries Gryffroy. Entrepreneur Lai Nguyễn took pride in participating in the event and expressed the commitment of her company to expanding commercial and investment scales, accompanying 50 other businesses. In his speech, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien praised the positive development in the economic and trade relations between the two countries. He emphasized the potential for cooperation in trade, investment, and the opportunities presented by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien also highlighted the importance of close and effective cooperation in the context of global challenges. The forums and opinion exchanges at the event focused on how Vietnam and Belgium can work together to overcome difficulties and explore cooperation opportunities in an increasingly dynamic business environment.
CEO Lai Nguyễn networking and connecting with participating businesses.
Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao pledged to accompany the Ministry of Industry and Trade in supporting the business community. Meetings and exchanges between businesses opened up many opportunities for investment cooperation in various fields. Speaking at the forum, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao emphasized the positive development of relations between Vietnam, Belgium, and the EU in recent times, with recent visits and working sessions by leaders of both countries, especially the visit of the Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man to Belgium and the EU in mid-November, and the visits of leaders of Flanders (Dutch-speaking region) and Wallonia (French-speaking region) to Vietnam. These are evidence of the good cooperation between the two countries. Vietnam and Belgium have many opportunities to promote cooperation in various fields, especially in seaports, renewable energy, and the environment.
CEO Lai Nguyễn taking a commemorative photo with Mr. Andries Gryffroy – President of the Belgium-Vietnam Alliance.
In his role as the President of the Belgium-Vietnam Alliance (BVA) and the First Vice President of the Belgian Senate, Mr. Andries Gryffroy affirmed his full support for businesses from both countries to penetrate each other’s markets. BVA serves as a bridge to help Vietnamese businesses export to Belgium and the EU, with the participation of all three regions of Belgium: Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels Capital Region. Mr. Gryffroy emphasized that BVA and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) have signed a memorandum of understanding. This is the basis for both sides to coordinate in promoting economic and trade relations between the two countries, fostering investment cooperation between Belgian and Vietnamese enterprises.
The main theme of the forum focused on important issues such as trade, investment, and supply chains. These discussions provided opportunities for businesses to directly engage with key stakeholders in the industry and politics.
The event attracted special attention from the business community with more than 50 businesses participating.
The Vietnam-Belgium Business Forum created a positive atmosphere for diverse exchanges and cooperation. This event was not only an opportunity for Vinatoken to expand its commercial and investment scale but also a platform for sharing knowledge and building strategies for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.