Hanoi promotes multifaceted cooperation with Belgium’s Antwerp province

Hanoi is willing to promote cooperation in various fields with the Kingdom of Belgium’s Antwerp province, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Doan Toan said at a reception for Antwerp province’s Governor Cathy Berx on November 11.

Toan expressed his delight that the Vietnam - Belgium relationship has been growing on the back of close cooperation between Hanoi and Belgian localities.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Doan Toan receives Antwerp province’s Governor Cathy Berx. Photo: Thuy Linh

Briefing the guest on Hanoi’s socio-economic development, the official said that in recent years, trade turnover between the capital city and Belgium has been on the rise, but it is not commensurate with the two sides’ potential.

Especially, the number of Belgian tourists to Hanoi increased sharply with an average of 16% per year, which shows Belgium is one of the top three tourist markets for Vietnam’s capital city, Toan said, adding that in 2018, the number of Belgian tourists increased by 13% year-on-year.

The official also expressed his hope that Antwerp province’s Governor Cathy Berx will become a bridge to connect Belgian investors and tourists with Hanoi.

Besides, Hanoi expects to learn advanced technologies from Belgium in the fields of infrastructure development, culture, education, healthcare, high-tech agriculture, among others, Toan stressed.

He added that Hanoi will work to boost investment with the Belgian market in particular and the EU in general. There remain numerous opportunities for Hanoi and Belgium to increase bilateral trade.

For her part, Cathy Berx affirmed that over the past time, the relationship between Vietnam and Belgium has been continuously strengthened with many high-level visits. The Antwerp government always expects that a Hanoi delegation will visit the province to promote bilateral cooperation.

Governor Cathy Berx said that Antwerp province is well-known for technologies for sustainable urban development, petrochemical refining, culture and fashion, among others.

Since the renovation, Vietnam has become a promising market for Belgian goods. Vietnam is one of the largest import markets for rough diamond - one of Antwerp's signature products, the governor noted.

Cathy Berx affirmed that building sustainable city is one of Antwerp's strengths, thereby the province can share its experience with Hanoi in the field.

She also hoped that as the ASEAN host in 2020, Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular would further strengthen trade activities among nations, including Belgium in general and the province of Antwerp in particular.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Doan Toan affirmed these are all issues that Hanoi is interested in and seeking solutions for cooperation and development. Thus, Hanoi always welcomes and commits to creating conditions for Hanoi and Antwerp cooperation.