Vietnam Czech Republic’s most important trade partner in ASEAN: minister
Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic Jozef Sikela on September 2 affirmed that Vietnam is currently his country's most important trade partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Sikela (Photo: VNA)
Prague (VNA) - Minister of Industry and Tradeof the Czech Republic Jozef Sikela on September 2 affirmed that Vietnam iscurrently his country's most important trade partner in the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Sikela cited that two-way trade in 2022 reached a recordlevel of 2.3 billion USD, and is expected to set a new record this year.
According to him, in the first half of this year, the Czech Republic’sexports to Vietnam increased by 48%, while that of the Southeast Asian countryto the Czech Republic rose by 7%.
He attributed the results to strong cooperation between the governments and businesses of the two countries.
The minister said that after his visit to Vietnam inFebruary, his ministry is planning to hold the 8thmeeting of the Czech-Vietnam Economic Joint Committee in Hanoi next year, aswell as to officially participate in one of the major trade fairs in Ho Chi MinhCity.
Regarding the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), heassessed that the continued implementation of the trade deal, especially thegradual reduction of Vietnam's automobile import tax rate by 78% by 2030, cansignificantly contribute to the expansion of the presence of his country’s automobileindustry in Vietnam, and increasing export and investment projects from the CentralEuropean country./.
Vietnam always attaches importance to promoting the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the Czech Republic, and wishes to further expand cooperation with the country across fields, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has said.
The Vietnamese Embassy in the Czech Republic and the Czech Chamber of Commerce jointly held a business forum in Prague on June 15 to bolster links between businesses and seek ways to strengthen traditional friendship and multi-faced cooperation of the two countries.
The Czech Republic needs to attract foreign workers, including those from Vietnam and the Philippines, said Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Marian Jurecka.
President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce Zdenek Zajicek proposed the Government focus on several key markets, including Vietnam, while implementing its new export strategy for the 2023-2033 period approved on July 26.
The event aimed to update businesses on new regulations and compliance requirements regarding US tax, trade, and customs policies, while offering practical solutions to facilitate exports amid shifting trade dynamics.
The festival marks a significant milestone in promoting the brand, value, and legacy of traditional fish sauce - a product deeply rooted in the island’s identity and history spanning over 200 years.
According to Mastercard data, Vietnam has recorded a remarkable 92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in contactless transaction volume from Q4 2022 to Q4 2024.
Tuan expressed his confidence that LH, with its expertise and experience, would swiftly implement the urban area project, contributing to a modern urban landscape for the province.
With its strategic location, abundant workforce, and modern infrastructure, Vietnam holds significant potential to become a leading centre for power and electronics production in the region and the world.
The renewable energy workforce training and development centre, invested by Germany's GEO Group, is expected to be a cornerstone in shaping Binh Dinh as a renewable energy and innovation hub in central Vietnam, meeting the growing demand for skilled technical personnel in offshore wind, solar farms, and green hydrogen projects.
A notable trend is the shift toward satellite regions. With land scarcity and soaring prices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, investors are eyeing provinces like Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, which are benefiting from improved technical infrastructure and transport connectivity.
To further strengthen private-sector innovation, Bac Ninh plans to accelerate administrative reforms, build a digital, service-oriented government, and develop an integrated innovation ecosystem that connects businesses with domestic and international institutions, universities, and experts.
The participation of H&M, one of the world's largest fashion corporations, in Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City in early September is considered a special highlight, opening up many cooperation opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in the fashion, textiles and sustainable supply chains.
This latest order builds on a previous agreement signed at the Singapore Airshow last year for 40 engines, bringing the total number of Trent 7000 engines ordered by the airline to 80.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien acknowledged that despite concerted efforts by ministries and local authorities in combating fake and substandard goods, the situation remains highly complicated, attributing the persistent challenges to high profits luring numerous participants, increasingly sophisticated violations, limited resources within enforcement agencies.
The group also placed among the Top 5 energy companies in Southeast Asia and secured the top spot among the largest Vietnamese enterprises featured on the list.
The zone will cover 1,881 ha, comprising functional areas for production, logistics, trade and services, digital technology industry, information technology, and innovation.
Dung underlined several key objectives, including a comprehensive review of the legal framework governing SOEs, and called for updates that reflect international standards and support modern, transparent governance.
While the US market has become more difficult to access due to new tax policies, Australia could play the role of a trade cushion, helping to reduce shocks and maintain export momentum for Vietnam's shrimp industry.
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Sikela (Photo: VNA) 
