Việt Nam’s consul general in Australia’s New South Wales state, Nguyễn Đăng Thắng, speaks at the seminar. Bình Dương is seeking mutual trade and investment opportunities with Australia. — VNA/VNS Photo

BÌNH DƯƠNG — Bình Dương Province is seeking mutual trade and investment opportunities with Australia.

At a seminar in Sydney on Monday, Nguyễn Đăng Thắng, the Vietnamese consul for New South Wales (NSW), Queensland and South Australia states, expressed pleasure at the rapid development in the relationship between the two countries, highlighted by its elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership recently.

He hoped this would lay the foundation for the countries to embark on a new journey, enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment.

He introduced Bình Dương Province as a leading destination for foreign investment and one of the most dynamic localities in Việt Nam.

Karla Lampe, director for International Engagement and Market Development at the New South Wales Investment Agency, said relations were developing rapidly between Vietnamese localities and her state.

NSW, known for its world-class education system and being one of the strongest pillars of the Australian economy, is particularly interested in promoting trade and investment with Việt Nam, she said.

Việt Nam ranks fifth in the list of countries sending students to the state, but educational cooperation has ample room for development, she said.

David Harding, CEO of Business NSW, said Việt Nam and Australia are situated in one of the most dynamic regions in the world.

Australia is seeking to diversify its trade and economic relationships, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and political changes worldwide while Việt Nam possesses abundant labour resources and a highly skilled workforce.

He said the strong development of Việt Nam - Australia relations, especially in trade and investment, presents an opportunity for businesses from both countries to collaborate.

Nguyễn Lộc Hà, Deputy Chairman of the Bình Dương People's Committee, listed the strengths and potential of and investment opportunities in his province and its preferential policies for foreign investors. Bình Dương is a leading manufacturing centre with a diverse range of supply chains and a hub for scientific and technological innovation.

It would create the most favourable conditions for them, he said.

He exhorted Australian businesses to invest in areas such as technology, supporting industries, information technology, high-tech agriculture, renewable and environment-friendly energy, commerce and services, construction, infrastructure and high-quality human resources training.

Nguyễn Duy, marketing director for English-speaking markets at Becamex IDC Corporation, said Bình Dương aims to become a hub for innovation and research with science and education, information technology and business parks and e-commerce zones.

It has been collaborating with the World Bank to build eco-industrial parks with solar and other green energy, water recycling and management using an intelligent operations centre, he said.

Australian business executives said that Việt Nam remains their country’s top trading and investment partner in the region.

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency, Francis Wong, Becamex’s marketing representative in Australia, said the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership presents a significant opportunity for Australian companies to invest in Việt Nam, especially in areas such as energy innovation and environment.

These are Australia's strengths, and companies from that country have the potential to invest in Việt Nam due to its strong manufacturing base, he said, adding he received a number of inquiries about investment in Việt Nam in the past two to three weeks after the visit to Australia by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính.

In the morning of the same day, a trade and investment promotion delegation led by the province’s Deputy Chairman, Nguyễn Lộc Hà, held a meeting with Mohamed Hage, President of the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Dean Kirkwood, General Director of the Resource Industry Network in Mackay City (Queensland state), to exchange views and discuss cooperation.

Australian organisations and business appreciated the activities of the delegation and suggested a number of initiatives to expand cooperation with Bình Dương Province.

The seminar was organised by Bình Dương People's Committee, together with Becamex IDC Corporation, the Vietnamese consulate general in Sydney and the New South Wales Investment Agency. — VNS