Vietnam Among EU’s Top 10 Largest Goods Suppliers

Vietnam is one of the top 10 largest suppliers of goods to the EU market, with wo-way trade hitting EUR43.2 billion last year.

Rosy Huong

huongthhd@gmail.com October 28, 2021 | 10:26

European Union and Vietnamese flags are seen at the signing ceremony of EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement at the Government Office in Hanoi, June 30, 2019. Photo: Reuters

One year after the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into force, the bilateral trade reached US$54.87 billion, a rise of 12.1% from the same period last year, of which exports and imports expanded by 11.3% and 14.04%, respectively, heard a forum in Hanoi on October 27.

The Vietnam - EU Trade Forum 2021 was co-hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham).

Despite adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, two-way trade has posted positive growth, standing at US$ 41.3 billion, up 13.4% year-on-year.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An. Photo: VNA

In his remarks, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An said a number of local businesses have optimised incentives presented by the EVFTA through the use of certificates of origin (C/O).

The competitiveness and market share of Vietnamese goods have also improved significantly in the EU market, he added.

With a strong commitment to ensuring transparency, openness, and convenience in the current business climate, Vietnam has attracted high-quality investments from the EU, including high-tech projects.

An said the pandemic has caused changes in consumption trends, leading to the development of digital transformation and e-commerce. Given this, the Governments of several countries globally have put forth solutions to promote the digital economy, particularly e-commerce, opening up bright prospect for cross-border trade channel in the near future.

At the forum, domestic and foreign experts expressed their optimism about prospects for economic recovery and growth of EU-Vietnam trade and investment relations in the new normal. They also took note of challenges in the time ahead.

Vietnam shoul build scenarios matching the latest situation in a flexible and effective manner, optimise all possible resources for economic recovery and growth, and address bottlenecks for businesses, they suggested.

Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam. Photo: VNA

Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, said the EVFTA is set to give a boost to the export of Vietnamese fruits and farm produce to the EU. However, firms have been facing obstacles in entering the EU market due to complicated procedures.

EuroCham Chairman Alain Cany suggested the two sides closely cooperate in addressing current issues, saying with various advantages, Vietnam has chances to attract new investment inflows from European investors who are seeking a stable, safe, prosperous and competitive destination./.

Vietnam Among EU’s Top 10 Largest Goods Suppliers

One year after the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into force, the bilateral trade reached US$54.87 billion. Photo: VNA

The EVFTA came into force on August 1, 2020 after eight years of negotiations. Under the deal, Vietnam will eliminate 99% of its import duties over 10 years and the EU will do the same over seven.

The trade deal is a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement that is in line with the provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The EU will gradually eliminate 99.2% of tariff lines, accounting for 99.7% of Vietnam’s exports, over the next seven years. As for the remaining 0.3 percent, it will give Vietnam tariff quotas with import duties of zero percent.

The EVFTA is the EU’s second deal with an ASEAN country, after Singapore, and one of few with a developing country.

Vietnam Remains Magnet for EU Investments

EU investments in Vietnam still increased by $483 million year-on-year in the first nine months of this year to $22 billion despite impacts of the ...

European Corporations Invest Billions in Vietnam

By the end of September, investments in Vietnam from major European corporations reached over US$ 22 billion, up almost US$ 500 million compared to the ...