Slovenia, Vietnam see ample opportunity to enhance trade

HANOI: Slovenia and Vietnam have numerous opportunities to expand their cooperation across various sectors, ranging from logistics and transportation to tourism and labour, according to experts from both countries.

Vesna Nahtigal, general manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (CCIS), highlighted that economic cooperation between Slovenia and Vietnam is becoming increasingly important, as evidenced by strengthened trade and political relations.

Over the past seven years, two-way trade has nearly tripled, with Slovenia exporting commodities worth €70.5mil to Vietnam last year while importing products worth €51.7mil from the South-East Asian nation.

Nahtigal noted that the most promising areas for cooperation include transportation, logistics, engineering machinery and equipment, and environmental technology, which are key pillars in Slovenia’s exports to the Asian market.

She also emphasised the significance of the European Union and Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the potential benefits of the European Union and Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement in fostering future investment partnerships.

To further promote cooperation, two business forums on leading supply chain solutions for Vietnamese goods to Central and Eastern Europe will be held in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

The events, organised by the CCIS, the SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency, the Economy, Tourism and Sport Ministry, and the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry of Slovenia, aim to develop business relationships with Vietnam-based international transport and logistics companies and stakeholders.

Former general-director of CCIS, Ales Cantarutti, also underscored the potential for enhanced cooperation. He said that about eight years ago, the Slovenian government identified Vietnam as one of its most important markets outside the EU, leading to the development of a special action plan to strengthen bilateral business relations.

A delegation of Slovenian businesses visited Vietnam at the time, discussing potential areas for cooperation such as logistics, trade, tourism, and imports and exports.

Cantarutti remarked that the establishment of the Intergovernmental Committee for Economic Cooperation between the two nations was a significant achievement, helping resolve challenges and fostering collaboration between the two business communities.

Economic cooperation between Slovenia and Vietnam has gradually recovered after the Covid pandemic. The CCIS has organised several seminars to enhance business cooperation and increase exchanges with Vietnam. — Viet Nam News/ANN