A direct flight between Vietnam and Italy would facilitate better understandings and cooperation between the two countries, especially at a time when the number of Vietnamese travelling to Europe is increasing, according to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro. Source: VGP.
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In 2018, Italy issued 10,000 visas for Vietnamese tourists, up 20% year-on-year, while 65,000 Italian tourists travelled to Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam currently has 1,000 students studying in Italy.
Since the establishments of the Vietnam – Italy diplomatic relations 45 years ago and the bilateral strategic partnership in 2013, the two countries have forged a strong relationship, Phuc said.
The PM expected Antonio Alessandro in his tenure would contribute significantly to facilitate Vietnam – Italy cooperation, especially in trade, investment and economy, expecting the 2018 bilateral trade turnover of US$5 billion would increase in the future.
Additionally, Phuc considered the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) an important factor of the Vietnam – EU relation and requested Italy’s support to speed up the approval process of the deal.
Phuc stressed Vietnam would create favorable conditions for more Italian investors coming to the country and committing long-term businesses.
At the meeting, Antonio informed the Italian embassy is preparing for the high level dialogue on Italy – ASEAN economic relation, which would be held in Hanoi this year, while a delegation of major Italian corporations is scheduled to visit Vietnam for this event.
As of present, around 100 Italian enterprises are doing businesses in Vietnam, and many are considering business expansion, Antonio said.
Antonio also thanked Vietnam’s PM for his remark at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Italian businesses, saying they represent an example of successful foreign investments in Vietnam.
The Italian ambassador hoped for greater cooperation in education and tourism, which has vast potential for development.
Moreover, Italy is expected to provide grants for Vietnam in fields of environment, education and energy, Antonio informed.
Statistics is also another field of potential cooperation between the two countries, he said, adding the Italian National Institute of Statistics could support Vietnam in calculating the informal economic sector.
