The workshop had the participation of more than 50 Vietnamese businesses and 25 Ukrainian businesses operating in fields such as import-export consulting, furniture, agriculture, food, machine manufacturing, metallurgy, and industrialization. matter…

In recent times, due to the complicated military conflict in Ukraine, economic and investment relations with Ukraine have also been affected. The workshop took place to promote increased trade, seek opportunities to export Vietnam's key products to Ukraine such as agricultural products, garments, footwear, consumer goods, electronic components... to compensate Ukraine's current shortage of goods.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Director of the European - American Market Department Nguyen Khanh Ngoc commented that since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992, bilateral cooperation in all areas has been strong. All fields are developing well, making an important contribution to the construction and economic development of Vietnam and Ukraine.

In particular, trade and investment relations are always considered potential areas of interest for the two countries. Currently, Vietnam's traditional products exported to Ukraine are still seafood, textiles, coffee, cashew nuts, components, and computers.

Regarding investment, up to now, Ukraine has invested about 30 million USD in Vietnam with 27 projects, ranking 69th out of 143 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. In the opposite direction, investment from Vietnam into Ukraine is mainly due to Vietnamese people living in the region. Ms. Ngoc said she hopes Ukraine will create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses with investment capital in Ukraine to operate effectively, contributing to the economic development of the two countries.

In the current context, Ms. Ngoc said that there are still positive signs for businesses on both sides to work together to restore trade and investment, which the large number of businesses participating in today's conference is a testament.

Meanwhile, Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Ukraine Hoang Dinh Chai said that Ukraine is trying to promote the signing of free trade agreements with many countries, signing agreements to implement practical measures. help Ukrainian business. In particular, Ukraine finds that cooperation with Vietnam is especially good during the country's reconstruction period.

“Ukrainian businesses have been actively operating again after 4 months of pause. Currently, there are Ukrainian associations and businesses coming to Vietnam to promote and source goods. The trade office has also received information about interest in Vietnamese goods such as rice, food, and fabric products for garments," Mr. Chai said.

Mr. Hoang Dinh Chai also commented that Ukrainian consumers have a habit of consuming Asian food, especially from China, Vietnam and Thailand. Meanwhile, Vietnam has strengths in exporting food such as seafood, rice, pepper, and cashew nuts. "This will be an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to approach Ukraine, especially in the context that Thailand and Korea are almost emptying this market due to transportation difficulties," Mr. Chai said.

Assessing the potential for cooperation between the two countries, Vice President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) Valery Korol expressed his desire to participate in upcoming international fairs and seminars related to economics and trade. took place in Vietnam to seek opportunities. UCCI Vice President Valery Korol said that Ukraine wants to cooperate with Vietnam in agriculture, food, machinery manufacturing, chemicals, information technology...

In contrast, Vietnam imports a lot of iron and steel from Ukraine. However, in the current context, Ukraine is in the stage of rebuilding and building the country, so the above products are still seriously lacking.

In the investment sector, Ukrainian businesses are facing a lack of capital. Therefore, Vietnamese businesses can invest and jointly buy factories. This will be a good opportunity to invest, produce and export goods to Europe as Ukraine borders 10 European countries, labor is cheap and the Government is creating conditions for businesses to develop.

However, when exporting goods to Ukraine at the present time, Vietnamese businesses also need to pay attention to a number of issues. Specifically, sharing about the ongoing difficulties in trade, UCCI Vice President Valery Korol said that transporting goods through seaports in Ukraine is facing difficulties when 92% of goods exported from Ukraine go out. The world must go through European countries.

Meanwhile, according to Director of the Vietnam Trade Office in Ukraine Hoang Dinh Chai, although Ukraine's main seaport, Odessa, has opened, only food goods are prioritized. Therefore, goods entering Ukraine will temporarily be docked in European countries and transported by road (mainly rail) into Ukraine.
 

Minh Toan