A New Milestone in Bilateral Economic Relations
On 22 September, in Minsk, the Vietnam–Belarus Business Forum was jointly organized by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the Embassy of Viet Nam in the Republic of Belarus, and the Minsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Forum brought together representatives of government agencies, trade promotion institutions, and a large number of enterprises from both countries.
Speaking at the Forum, H.E. Nguyen Van Trung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Viet Nam to Belarus, emphasized that the event was of practical significance, contributing to the implementation of major orientations in bilateral cooperation and demonstrating the shared determination to facilitate business linkages, investment, and long-term partnerships.
According to the Ambassador, the Forum provided an important platform for enterprises from Viet Nam and Belarus to exchange information, explore cooperation opportunities, and promote strategic business agreements. With the participation of nearly 50 Belarusian enterprises operating across a wide range of sectors, including industry, food processing, machinery, and high technology, alongside Vietnamese partners, the Forum was expected to generate substantive and sustainable business connections.
The event was held against the backdrop of increasingly positive developments in Vietnam–Belarus relations, particularly following the official visit to Belarus by General Secretary To Lam in May 2025, which opened up new prospects for economic, trade, and investment cooperation.
Complementary Strengths and Value Chain Expansion
At the Forum, Mr. Hoang Minh Chien, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, noted that Viet Nam and Belarus share a long-standing traditional friendship built on political trust and practical cooperation. The two economies are highly complementary: Viet Nam has strengths in agricultural and aquatic products, consumer goods, textiles, garments, and wooden furniture, while Belarus excels in machinery, equipment, fertilizers, and high-technology products.
This complementarity not only supports the expansion of bilateral trade but also contributes to the development of value chains with the potential to reach broader markets in Eurasia and Southeast Asia.
Ms. Irina Ivanova, Deputy Director General in charge of foreign economic relations at the Minsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed confidence that bilateral discussions and cooperation documents concluded at the Forum would serve as concrete steps toward strengthening business partnerships between the two countries.
Promoting Trade, Investment, and Business Connectivity
Within the framework of the Forum, Vietnamese enterprises showcased a wide range of key products, including agricultural and aquatic products, coffee, tea, cashew nuts, textiles and garments, wooden furniture, and industrial components. Through direct business matching sessions, enterprises from both sides were able to exchange market information, identify suitable partners, and explore long-term cooperation opportunities.
Beyond trade, investment cooperation was also highlighted as an area with significant potential. Currently, Belarus has several investment projects in Viet Nam with total registered capital exceeding USD 32 million, while Viet Nam has an investment project in Belarus. These initial results provide a foundation for further expansion of bilateral investment, particularly in high technology, clean agriculture, food processing, and renewable energy.
Ambassador Nguyen Van Trung encouraged enterprises from both countries to actively explore each other’s markets, make effective use of the bilateral visa exemption agreement in force since January 2025, and increase participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, and business networking events to broaden their partnership networks.
As the Government’s specialized agency for trade promotion, the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency reaffirmed its commitment to accompanying enterprises, working closely with Belarusian partners to address difficulties, enhance connectivity, and foster a stable and sustainable business environment.
On the sidelines of the Forum, the Trade and Investment Promotion Support Center (Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency) and the Belarus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Minsk branch) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, laying an important foundation for intensified trade and investment promotion activities and contributing to stronger, more effective, and sustainable Vietnam–Belarus economic relations in the period ahead.
