Vietnam – Belgium: An Event to Connect Businesses and Promote Economic Cooperation

The event, organized by the Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium in cooperation with the Trade Promotion Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the Belgium-Vietnam Alliance (BVA), and regional trade promotion agencies from Belgium, attracted high-level representatives from both sides. This created an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to showcase their products and explore new collaboration potential.

Vietnam’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Head of the Vietnam Delegation to the EU, Nguyen Van Thao, delivered a speech at the Forum.

This attractiveness was demonstrated through the extensive cooperation activities between the two countries, with 95 Belgian projects in Vietnam, totaling a registered capital of about 1.1 billion USD. The BVA President also affirmed Belgium’s strategic position, with its large port system and developed transportation infrastructure, making it an important gateway for Vietnamese goods into Europe.

In recent years, thanks to legal reforms and financial incentives, Vietnam has become increasingly attractive to foreign investors. The Vietnamese government has taken significant steps to reform the financial sector, streamline business regulations, and improve the quality of its workforce. These efforts have created an investor-friendly environment, contributing to strong trade growth between Vietnam and the European Union (EU).

At the event, Belgian business representatives contributed valuable insights into the advantages and challenges of doing business in Vietnam. François Coloval, Director of South Export Alliance, emphasized that for Vietnamese companies entering the Belgian market, understanding regulations is crucial, as Belgium has three different regions with distinct governments: the Dutch-speaking Flanders region, the French-speaking Wallonia region, and the German-speaking region of Brussels.

Belgium stands out with several attractive features:

Language: Belgium is divided into three main regions: Flanders (Dutch-speaking), Wallonia (French-speaking), and Brussels (bilingual), creating a rich cultural and linguistic diversity.
Strategic Geographic Location: Situated in the heart of Europe, Belgium serves as an important trade hub, connecting major markets like Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
Capital Brussels: As a major financial center, Brussels is not only home to large financial institutions but also hosts numerous cultural and political activities.
Cuisine: Belgium is famous for its distinctive foods, such as waffles, chocolate, and beer. Belgian beer, with its various types and styles, is highly regarded worldwide and contributes to the rich culinary culture of the country.

These factors create a unique and attractive Belgium, as well as challenges for Vietnamese businesses looking to export to the Belgian market.

François Coloval, Director of South Export Alliance, praised Vietnam’s progress in manufacturing, particularly in professionalism and product quality. Additionally, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has enhanced Vietnam’s competitiveness compared to neighboring countries, creating favorable conditions for investment and expansion.

However, he pointed out that there are still some challenges in exporting to Europe, mainly related to packaging and labeling regulations in each country.

Some images from the event: