Long An seeks to boost stronger trade links with German city
VOV.VN - A delegation from Mekong Delta province of Long An met with German enterprises to examine ways to boost trade and investment at a roundtable held on November 18 in the city of Cologne.
As part of his opening speech at the event, Huynh Van Son, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, expressed great appreciation for Long An's proactive business trips to Germany and the province's eagerness to tap into German expertise in automobile manufacturing, industrial machinery, medical equipment, logistics, renewable energy, financial services, and quality workforce training.
Despite Germany's modest investment in Long An thus far, totaling US$66 million across 10 projects, he highlighted the huge potential that exists for growth.
Frank Hemig, deputy executive director of the Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Cologne), emphasized Cologne's strategic importance as an European transportation hub and a powerhouse for several key industries. He therefore extended a warm welcome to the Vietnamese delegation, expressing IHK Cologne's interest in investment opportunities in the locality.
Dang Thi Thanh Phuong, Vietnamese Commercial Counselor in Germany, accentuated the complementary strengths of Vietnamese and German localities, positioning Long An as an ideal destination for German firms on the back of its skilled and abundant workforce, investor-friendly policies, and strengths in agriculture and trade.
Truong Van Liep, director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, hailed the province's success in terms of attracting FDI from 41 countries and territories, with a total of 1,367 projects worth more than US$12.5 billion.
He elaborated that notable German investments, such as the Messer Group's liquefied gas technology, have already made a substantial impact on local economic growth.
Peter Komppala, chief representative of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam (AHK Vietnam), underscored Vietnamese goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, which presents not only a challenge but also a great opportunity for German enterprises, especially in terms of green energy and sustainable development, automation and Industry 4.0, and quality workforce training.
Duoc, for his part, proposed the establishment of the Long An-Cologne industrial park in Long An province as a dedicated hub for German businesses. He therefore called on the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Vietnam Trade Office in Germany, and relevant German agencies to support this visionary project moving forward.
The roundtable also witnessed the signing of a letter of commitment for a US$50 million renewable energy project by Hoang Gia Investment Group, alongside a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Long An Industrial Park JSC and Germany’s Quickpack regarding the development of a packaging factory in the Southeast Asia Industrial Park.
On November 19, the Long An delegation attended the first Vietnam Dialogue in Frankfurt, with a particular focus on financial ties between the nation and Europe.