The ASEAN-Hong Kong (China) Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) came into effect on June 11 for Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar, creating a driving force for trade and investment between ASEAN nations and Hong Kong (China). The remaining ASEAN member states will complete the ratification process later this year.

Australia-based XAct Solutions company in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia held the Australia – Vietnam Business Dialogue in Sydney on July 22 to boost business cooperation between enterprises of Vietnam and Australia.

The Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) and the Uruguay’s Investment, Export and Country Brand Promotion Agency (Uruguay XXI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on trade promotion in Hanoi on August 14 in a bid to boost trade cooperation between the two countries.

Given the rapid expansion of urbanization in Vietnam, American companies are studying various smart city plans and discussing cooperation opportunities with authorities.

Vietnamese enterprises invested US$277.4 million in 30 countries and territories in the first seven months of this year, the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) said in its latest report.

Việt Nam wants to promote co-operation in production and consumption of tea and coffee with China, said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Nguyễn Xuân Cường at forum held in Hà Nội on Monday.

Vietnam has enjoyed consistent growth in export turnover despite numerous difficulties, with a trade surplus of approximately US$5.9 billion, representing one of the positive aspects of the country’s economic picture in the first nine months of the year.

The 11th meeting of the UK-Vietnam Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) was held in Ha Long Bay on October 4. Talks focused on deepening the two countries’ trade cooperation in key sectors and overcoming impediments to greater UK investment.

Since the beginning of the year, Vietnam’s rice exports have experienced great challenges as Chinese importers have cut back purchases from Vietnam. The trend is expected to continue for the rest of the year, but opportunities for Vietnam’s rice exports are opening up in new markets.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), signed this past June and due to take effect in 2020, is expected to boost Vietnam’s exports to the EU market. This agreement is considered a great opportunity for Vietnam to promote its agricultural products in discerning markets.

A recent survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) shows that 70 percent of Japanese enterprises in Vietnam want to expand investment in the country, especially in the field of high-tech agriculture. This opens up huge opportunities for the domestic agricultural industry to develop.

A royal antique car decorated with durian fruit and a banner that read “Vietnamese Durian” travelled around the centre of Sydney on October 29 as part of a campaign to promote the fruit in Australia.