The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) held a ceremony in Hanoi on May 24 to debut the Vietnam – Belarus Business Council. 

The council, which was formed under the direction of President Tran Dai Quang and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in accordance with the Joint Statement during President Quang’s visit in June 2017, aims to extend ties between Vietnamese and Belarusian businesses in the fields of trade, investment, science-technology, and tourism. 

It will also offer a dialogue channel between businesses and the two governments. 

VCCI Vice Chairman Hoang Quang Phong said VCCI commits to partnering with businesses to lift two-way trade to meet expectation of the State and government leaders. 

A seminar on business with the Belarusian market was held following the ceremony, marking the first step of the council, Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce Sergei Nabeshko said.

With a 182 million population and a gross domestic product of over 2.2 trillion USD, Belarus is considered one of the bridges to connect Vietnam with the Eurasian Economic Union. The European country also chose Vietnam as the first country to negotiate a free trade agreement, proving that Vietnam is a trustworthy partner of Belarus and Eastern Europe countries. 

Belarus is strong in mechanical engineering, education, telecommunications while Vietnam has advantages in human and natural resources, convenient geographical location, stable political and socio-economic climate. 

Phong expressed his hope that many Vietnamese and Belarusian firms will seek suitable cooperation opportunities following the seminar, especially in new and renewable energy, support industry, hi-tech and green industry, mechanical engineering, petrochemicals, information technology, agro-forestry-fisheries, infrastructure, education, health care and tourism.-VNA