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Jun 15, 2016 / 11:24

Vietnamese goods week in France: A long-term view towards EVFTA

Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnamese Embassy in France Vietnam in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of France`s Rhone Alpes region recently held a successful Vietnamese goods week themed “Honouring Vietnam” in Lyon, France.

A Vietnamese goods week, the third of its kind, attracted nearly 100 French trade agencies and firms and 20 guest Vietnamese businesses.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa makes a speech at the opening ceremony of the week.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa makes a speech at the opening ceremony of the week.
Speaking at the event in Lyon, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa hailed the export of Vietnamese goods to European Union via distribution outlets, particularly those in France, a strategic partner of Vietnam, where nearly 400,000 Vietnamese are living and working. 
 
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa introduces Vietnamese fruits to delegates at the event.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa introduces Vietnamese fruits to delegates at the event.
Deputy Minister Thoa emphasized in the future, the distribution outlets will be one of the rapid and effective trade cooperation channels.
Goods from Vietnam were put on display at Casino Gambetta supermarket, including fresh fruits, frozen spring rolls, shrimps, beverages, rice and apparel, among others. 
A leader from Casino giant retailer pledged to continue shipping goods from Vietnam to Casino supermarket chains in Europe and the world in the future. 
Last year, the group sold 30 million USD worth of Vietnamese goods, sourced from 60 Vietnamese suppliers.
On the occasion, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnamese embassy in France and the Rhone Alpes region’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a seminar featuring the strong growth of Vietnamese economy. 
Addressing the seminar, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Lyon city Philippe Valentin stressed that the conclusion of negotiations on EVFTA makes an important opportunity for businesses in Vietnam and Europe in general and France in particular.
It will creat favourable conditions for businesses to quickly grasp the great opportunities from the agreement, especially tax incentives, he added.
According to Philippe Valentin, both the France and Vietnam need to work together to take advantages of the great benefits that the agreement brings.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Thoa hailed France as a promising market of Vietnam and the two countries’ enterprises serve as a bridge to bring Vietnamese goods to the world and French goods to Vietnamese consumers. 
Vietnamese and French business communities should utilise bilateral free trade agreements to seek mutually-beneficial cooperation opportunities, she said, noting that the Vietnamese Commercial Affair office in France is ready to provide them with assistance. 
The French firms has a huge potential to further develop trade and economic relations with Vietnam after the EVFTA is signed, Thoa said.
Participants shared information about business climate, policies and legal regulations to boost two-way trade and attract French investment in Vietnam. 
French businesses operating representative offices in Vietnam spoke highly of reform in the country, suggesting that Vietnam should continue upgrading infrastructure to meet requirements for socio-economic development and urbanisation. 
Director of Export of Casino retailer Valentin Chen shared: "I am very optimistic about the export of Vietnamese goods to Europe when EVFTA is signed. To take advantage of the benefits, the Vietnamese businesses should research clearly the market of the EU's nations."
It is necessary for Vietnamese enterprises to build a strong and competitive brand.
The Vietnamese goods week held recently in France's Lyon city made a chance for Vietnamese goods to undergo the European standards, learn how to manage the products quality and the European long-term business culture.