(VOV) - Hundreds of Vietnamese businesses, Vietnam-Russia enterprises, and Vietnamese traders in Russia have attended a seminar on assisting the Vietnamese community in Russia and boosting exports to the country.
Addressing the October 31 seminar, Vietnamese ambassador to Russia Pham Xuan Son spoke highly of the initiative to hold the seminar, saying it is a good way to support Vietnamese expatriates in Russia and promote Vietnam’s trade in Russia.
He highlighted the advantages of the Russian market in the context of its age-old friendship and strategic partnership with Vietnam.
Two-way trade already reached US$2 billion in 2010 and is expected to rise to US$3 billion in 2013 and US$10 billion in 2020, the ambassador said. He expressed hope that Vietnamese entrepreneurs in Russia will contribute more to developing the Vietnamese community in the country.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thanh Son reaffirmed the State and Party’s policy of supporting the Vietnamese community abroad. He praised the building of the “Hanoi – Moscow” Culture, Trading (multi-function) and Hotel Centre”, saying the model needs to be expanded in other localities in Russia.
Nguyen Canh Son, Chairman of the Incentra Joint Stock Company, underlined the potential of the Russian market, including its big population (140 million), high GDP (US$1,500 billion) and annual per capita income (US$12,000), and growing demand for consumer goods.
The seminar was jointly held in Moscow by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the State Commission on Overseas Vietnamese under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, and the Incentra Joint Stock Company.