The meeting, the first of its kind held in Germany, offered an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to look back on their results over the year, exchange experiences and boost economic-trade cooperation and solidarity.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Do Hoa Binh affirmed that the Vietnamese community in Germany has developed in both quantity and quality, gradually setting their foothold in Germany in particular and in the European market in general.

Businesses have sponsored many arts, sports and cultural activities towards the homeland as well as made important contributions to activities of the Vietnamese community in Germany, he said.

Ambassador Binh expressed his hope that the Vietnam Business Association will continue boosting solidarity and mutual assistance for development, becoming a strong and prestigious association in the Vietnamese community in Germany.

While affirming the Embassy’s support for businesses, he also called for their closer coordination with the Embassy to continue implementing diplomatic activities, including those to celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the Vietnam-Germany diplomatic ties in 2010.

According to the ambassador, the “Vietnam Year in Germany 2010” will be held with 17 events, including a ceremony to welcome the traditional Tet festival, a Vietnamese Cultural and Tourism Week, an exchange between youths of Vietnam and Germany’s Hessen State, a Vietnam-Germany business forum and a photo exhibition on the Vietnam-Germany cooperation.