Workshop looks to connect Vietnam-Hong Kong trade partners

HCM City (VNA) – A workshop to promote trade ties between enterprises from Vietnam and Hong Kong (China) was held in Ho Chi Minh City on November 15 by the Investment & Trade Promotion Centre of Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC) in collaboration with the Vietnamese trade office in Hong Kong.

ITPC Deputy Director Cao Thi Phi Van said economic and trade ties between both sides have developed in recent years, with average trade growth during 2013-2017 at 13.7 percent per year. Hong Kong is the sixth largest trade partner of Vietnam.

Most Vietnamese exports to the territory are computers, electronic products and components, cameras and spare parts, telephones and equipment, she said.

As the products are not only consumed in Hong Kong but also shipped to mainland China and other foreign countries, Vietnam has a high trade surplus with Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Hong Kong Nguyen Duy Kien said Vietnamese firms have advantages to export to Hong Kong that purchases a huge amount of commodities abroad for business activities.

Simple import procedures and zero-trade-barrier offers are among the benefits, he underlined.

In addition, as an Asia business hub, trade-fair capital and convention centre, Hong Kong attracts plenty of international buyers and suppliers, thus, Vietnamese enterprises should enhance trade promotion campaigns in the area to improve connectivity with markets worldwide.

Experts at the workshop said Vietnamese businesses should stay prudent when doing business with Hong Kong- a hot spot for international trade fraud. To eliminate risks, they must pay attention to examining their trade partners’ legal status, credit and delivery ability.

Furthermore, they were advised to be vigilant of lucrative orders from new partners, and to choose rational modes of payment to avoid loss.-VNA