From 12 to 17 May Minister-president Bourgeois led an extensive trade mission to Vietnam. The large delegation - 90 people from 66 companies and organizations - clearly demonstrated the growing importance of the Vietnamese market for the Flemish economy. Therefore the minister-president had several political meetings to strengthen the existing relations between Flanders and Vietnam.
Minister-president Bourgeois was received by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. They had an in-depth discussion about the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the bilateral trade relations and cooperation. Also during his meeting with Deputy Minister for Industry & Trade Do Thanh Hai, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which has still to come into force, was discussed. Minister-president Bourgeois estimates that the trade agreement will allow a doubling of Flemish exports to Vietnam.
On his part, Secretary General Freddy Evens led several meetings and talks about the Memorandum of Understanding, signed in 2013 in Brussels, and the progress made.
In addition to the political meetings, there was also the seminar on Flood Control of water management, the Smart Cities and Urban Planning seminar, 9 company visits (7 to Flemish companies in Vietnam), 2 information sessions and 2 networking events.
Flanders Investment and Trade organized the trade mission.
