Vietnam-Flanders business forum talks EVFTA, EVIPA
The signing of the free trade agreement and the investment protection agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) last June has marked a new development step in their partnership and comprehensive cooperation, said Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Vu Dai Thang on November 8.
Brussels (VNA) – The signing of the free trade agreement and the investmentprotection agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) last June hasmarked a new development step in their partnership and comprehensivecooperation, said Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Vu DaiThang on November 8.
Speakingat the Vietnam-Flanders Business Forum in Belgium, Thang said the deals willcontribute to promoting economic links between the ASEAN Economic Community andthe EU, and spurring the global economy.
TheEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam InvestmentProtection Agreement (EVIPA) will also help Vietnam attract high-qualityinvestment from the EU, and create favourable conditions for Vietnameseinvestors to access the market, he noted.
Oncecompleted, the agreements, together with efforts and suitable policies of bothsides, will bring about pragmatic benefits to people and businesses of Vietnamand the EU, including those from Belgium.
VietnameseAmbassador to Belgium and Luxemburg, and head of the Vietnamese Delegation tothe EU Vu Anh Quang highlighted the deals’ contributions to stepping upVietnam’s economic reform and integration.
Thanksto the EVFTA and EVIPA, Vietnam will develop its economy in line withprinciples of a market economy, and international and EU laws and regulations,he said.
Theambassador called on Belgian authorities, organisations and businesses to help topush ahead with the ratification of the agreements by the European Parliament.
Theparticipating Belgian firms were updated on opportunities for investment andbusiness cooperation in Vietnam after the deals come into force, and were advisedto prepare resources to optimise these opportunities.
Withinthe framework of the forum, the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport and theFlemish Ministry of Mobility and Public Works signed a letter of intent oncooperation during the 2020-2022 period.
Overthe past 24 years, the Flemish authorities have supported Vietnam in humanresources development in service of such sectors as aviation and inlandwaterway./.
Vietnam and Belgium’s Wallonie-Bruxelles region signed cooperation minutes for the 2019-2021 period in Brussels on November 21, covering a total of 25 projects, as part of the 10th meeting of the Vietnam – Wallonie-Bruxelles Joint Committee.
The article by Cuba’s Inter Press Service detailed how Vietnamese private enterprise Agri VMA leased 1,000 ha of land in Los Palacios district, Cuba’s westernmost province of Pinar del Río, for rice cultivation over a three-year period. The project’s first harvest in 2025 recorded an impressive yield of 7.2 tonnes per hectare, far exceeding the local average of 1.6 tonnes.
During the visit, office representatives held a working session with the Tipaza Chamber of Commerce and Industry and met with several prominent local businesses operating in key sectors including industry, agriculture, fisheries, food processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics.
A Nordic delegation to Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in September will feature leading names in retail, consumer goods, logistics, and sustainable manufacturing, including global fashion giant H&M, offering fresh prospects for partnerships in fashion, textiles, and green supply chains.
With the current trading band of +/- 5%, the ceiling rate applicable for commercial banks during the day is 26,276 VND/USD and the floor rate 23,774 VND/USD.
Effective from the date of signing on June 18, the decision halts procedures outlined in the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the governments of Vietnam and Laos on the initial implementation of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement at the Lao Bao–Densavan border gate.
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.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
