HCM City (VNA) – Vietnam and Slovenia are eyeing major changes to the way they do business, to make a breakthrough in multi-faceted trade and investment cooperation,heard a Vietnam-Slovenia business forum in Ho Chi Minh City on May 22.

Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’sCommittee said that Vietnam and Slovenia have enjoyed expanded ties since theyset up their diplomatic relations in 1994.

He highlighted similarities between the two sides in historyand economic development, with a large number of small and medium-sizedenterprises. The two countries are gateways to the EU and ASEAN, said Hoan,holding that this is a good time for the two sides to deepen theirpartnership.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), along with finalisingEU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), has opened newopportunities for the two sides to foster trade and investment ties, he said.

Hoan affirmed that HCM City always considers Slovenia a promisingand important partner, and hopes to bolster trade ties with the Europeancountry in the time to come.

HCM City, a major economic, cultural, education-training, science-technology, and international integration hub of Vietnam is aiming for a smart city and acentre of the Southeast Asian region in finance, trade, science and technology, and culture, he said, adding that the city hopes to learn from Slovenia inbuilding and operating a smart city, and called for Slovenian investors in thefield of digital transformation.

HCM City pledges to continue improving its investment environment and provide the bestconditions for foreign investors, including those from Slovenia to invest inthe city, stated Hoan.

For her part, Tanja Fajon, Slovenian Deputy Prime Ministerand Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, said that Vietnam is a dynamicallydeveloping economy and an important economic hub of Asia.

With the advantages of open economies, Slovenia and Vietnamboast high potential to promote cooperation in investment, trade, and many otherareas such as transport, information technology, agriculture, energy, and the environment.

At the same time, Slovenia, with a large number ofexperienced experts in smart cities, digital transformation, and AI, can shareexperience with Vietnam in these fields. Slovenia will be a trustworthy partnerof Vietnam and always welcomes Vietnamese investors, she affirmed.

The Slovenian official said that her country keeps itsdoor open for investors pursuing a green, creative, and smart growth strategy, shesaid, adding that Slovenia is strong in producing and exporting medicine,automobiles, and aircraft spare parts.

She said that the country has a demand to import leather and footwear, rubber, and plastics from Vietnam. The cooperation between Slovenia and Vietnam notonly benefits both sides but also contributes to promoting trade between the EUand ASEAN regions, she added./.