Rome (VNA) –The European Union –Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will open up opportunities for Italianfirms, especially- small and medium-sized ones, heard recent bilateral economicand trade promotion seminars held in Parma and Piacenza cities, the Italiannorthern region of Emilia – Romagna.

The events, held late last month, attractedrepresentatives of industry federations of the two cities and from firmsoperating in food, cosmetics and logistics.

Speaking at the events, VietnameseAmbassador to Italy Nguyen Thi Bich Hue introduced Vietnam’s potential forbusinesses.
                                        
She pledged that the Vietnamese Government will help Italian companies do businessin Vietnam.

Delegates hailed the Vietnamese market witha population of nearly 100 million people, rising consumption, average annual economicgrowth of 6 percent, and quality and low-cost workforce.

Once the EVFTA takes effect, it will remove 99percent of tariff lines, thus benefiting Italian enterprises and positivelyimpacting bilateral trade and investment ties, they said.

They suggested Vietnam serve as a bridge forEuropean and Italian goods to enter other ASEAN markets.

Representatives from the Vietnam TradeOffice answered questions raised by participants.

While in the two cities, the Vietnamesedelegation had working sessions with local authorities and visited several firmsoperating in Vietnam such as Davines, Cosmoproject and Piacentina.

Currently, the relationship between BinhDuong and Emilia – Romagna region is considered a model of Vietnam – Italyinter-regional cooperation.

With contributions by Parma and Piacenza,Emilia – Romagna region accounts for more than half of Italy’s exports toVietnam.-VNA