At the teleconference. — VNA/VNS Photo Chí Tưởng

BRUSSELS — A teleconference was held on Wednesday to promote Belgian investment in the southern province of Bình Dương.

The event was co-hosted by the Becamex IDC Corp and the provincial People’s Committee.

In his opening speech, Vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyễn Thanh Trúc said as of the end of March, Bình Dương had drawn nearly 4,000 foreign-invested projects worth nearly US$37.9 billion, ranking third nationwide in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, only behind HCM City and Hà Nội.

The province is now home to five Belgian projects worth over $39 million, ranking 37th out of 65 countries and territories investing in the locality, mostly pharmaceuticals, apparel, additives, beer and malt, and goods storage.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Vũ Anh Quang said amid uncertain developments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the world, Belgium and Việt Nam continue to be important trade-investment partners of each other because they serve as regional trade hubs and gateways to the EU and ASEAN.

The two nations’ enterprises hold the potential of deeper collaboration within the framework of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Việt Nam-Belgium strategic partnership in agriculture, he added.

The Vietnamese Government attaches special importance to the implementation of major FTAs such as the EVFTA, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), he said, adding that FDI continues to serve as an important resource for Việt Nam’s economic growth and contribute to the implementation of the 2021-30 socio-economic development strategy with a vision to 2045 which was adopted by the 13th National Party Congress.

Belgian delegates hailed Việt Nam as a significant gateway linking ASEAN with the world via roads, waterway and airway. With a widespread system of deep-water seaports capable of receiving big vessels, political stability and the Government’s business incentives, Việt Nam is well-positioned to attract foreign investors. — VNS