HCM City is seeking to cooperate with more Belarusian businesses in fields such as education and logistics and increase trade with them, experts said at a Vietnam-Belarus business forum held this morning in the city. VNS Photo Gia Linh

HCM CITY — HCM City hopes to increase trade and cooperation with Belarus in education, logistics, healthcare, and textiles, experts said in a Việt Nam-Belarus business forum held on September 23 morning in the city.

The event was attended by representatives of over 60 Vietnamese and Belarusian companies.

Trade and cooperative efforts between the two countries have achieved significant results, with last year’s trade turnover reaching US$65.3 million, said deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee Võ Văn Hoan.

“As of this year’s first quarter, Belarus has invested over US$32.25 million into three projects in Việt Nam, and export-import turnover between HCM City and Belarus has reached US$2 million during the past eight months.”

But Belarusian investment and trade remain modest compared to the bilateral potential, Hoan said, hoping that the event would open more opportunities for economic cooperation.

Hoan also said the city would continue to support Belarussian companies and help them sustainably grow in the Vietnamese market.

Uladzimir Baravikou, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Việt Nam, said Vietnamese products such as rice, rubber, and technological devices are widely used in Belarus, meaning that there is high potential to develop those products and increase their trade.

He said a strong economic tie between Việt Nam and Belarus would be a stepping stone for both to work together in third countries. 

Over 60 Belarusian and Vietnamese companies attended a business-to-business meeting to search for potential partners and exchange experience. — VNS Photo Gia Linh

Evgeny Russak, deputy general director of the Belarus National Centre for Marketing, said both countries would work together to develop their leading industries, such as agriculture and timber, and jointly work on wastewater management.

Hồ Thị Quyên, deputy director of the city Investment and Trade Promotion Centre, said HCM City and Belarus need to develop stronger economic cooperation. 

She said the centre would increase trade activities to connect companies of both countries.

A business-to-business meeting was also held for Belarusian and Vietnamese enterprises to exchange experience and seek potential partners. — VNS