Diverse activities launched in Turin to enhance Vietnam-Italy partnership
VOV.VN - The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy has launched a broad array of activities in the Italian city of Turin to boost the bilateral partnership in politics, economics, and culture, as well as marking the 50th founding anniversary of joint diplomatic ties.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung recently held a working session alongside Michela Favaro, vice mayor of the City of Turin, who emphasised that Turin and Vietnamese localities boast great cooperation potential and opportunities.
Favaro said that the City of Turin, which is strong in industrial production, manufacturing, automobile production, energy transition, and digitalisation, as well as urban management, heritage conservation, education, training and research, tourism, and event organisation, wishes to promote further linkages with Vietnamese localities and partners in these fields.
The official affirmed that Turin will help to promote the image of Vietnam and send delegations to the Southeast Asian country as a means of seeking new collaboration opportunities with Vietnamese localities, especially Ho Chi Minh City which has already set up twinned relations with Turin.
Ambassador Hung stated the view that Turin and Ho Chi Minh City should step up co-operation in the areas of economics, urban management, culture, and heritage conservation, as well as during the implementation of the idea to organise the Vietnamese Year in Turin and the Italian Year in Ho Chi Minh City, which was granted approval during the recent visit to Turin by Vo Van Hoan, vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.
The diplomat also expressed his hope that Turin will view Vietnam as a priority country in its internationalisation policy, while promoting partnership with the nation in trade, investment and technology transfer, whilst supporting the Vietnamese side in human resource training and designing economic transformation policies to mee green, digital, sustainable, and circular needs in the coming time.
At the recent Vietnam-Turin Economic Forum, Ambassador Hung stated that Turin and the Piedmonte region boast strengths in industrial production, automobile manufacturing, banking, and services, all of which match the demand of Vietnam during the country’s modernisation and industrialisation process, especially in the fields of basic industry, manufacturing, machinery production, high-tech agriculture, research, innovation, banking, and financial services.
The diplomat pledged that the Vietnamese Embassy stands ready to support and accompany Italian companies in tapping into business opportunities within the Vietnamese market. He also used the occasion to introduce the nation’s new visa policy which aims to lure more tourists and businesses to the country.
Upon addressing the forum, Guido Bolatto, secretary general of the Turin Chamber of Commerce, noted that the presence of local prestigious firms such as Lavazza, Aurora, and Pinifarina showed their interest in the Vietnamese market, affirming that this is a good time for both sides to bolster their comprehensive and strong co-operation ties.
Fulvio Albano, president of the Asia Economic Cultural Council of Italy, highlighted Vietnam as a potential market and a gateway to Southeast Asia, as well as the close relations that exist between Vietnam and Turin which is considered a Vietnamese centre in Italy.
Meanwhile, Duong Phuong Thao, Vietnamese Trade Counselor, pointed out 10 reasons why financiers should choose Vietnam as an investment destination, including having a favourable geographical location, a stable government with a firm economic vision, a young workforce, and a wide network of 18 free trade agreements that the nation has signed with partners.
During his stay in Turin, Ambassador Hung also held meetings with leaders of major local businesses to discuss specific measures which seek to promote their collaboration with Vietnamese partners.
As part of the occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy also organised a programme on Vietnamese culture promotion and exchange at the University of Turin, which comprised of an art exhibition and an event to introduce Vietnamese traditional cuisine.
Stefano Geuna, principal of the University of Turin, said that the university plans to launch a Vietnamese faculty ahead in 2024, thereby becoming the third university in Italy to teach the Vietnamese language.
Within the programme's framework, a talk show on the similarities between Vietnamese and Italian cultures was also held, featuring the participation of a large number of cultural experts from both sides.
