Vietnamese enterprises promote exports in the French market

VTV.vn - France is currently Vietnam's fourth largest trading partner in Europe and also the second largest EU investor in Vietnam with a total registered capital of nearly 4 billion USD.

Ms. Nguyen Thao Hien, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Market Development ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) spoke at the forum.

On October 10 (local time), at the headquarters of the French Business Association (MEDEF), the Vietnam - France Agricultural Economic Forum officially opened. This is the first time the event has been held, bringing together representatives of business associations, French retailers and 40 Vietnamese enterprises to exchange experiences, seek cooperation opportunities and promote bilateral trade relations between the two countries. These are representatives of many key export industries such as agricultural products and processed foods, textiles, handicrafts that have built brands in many markets.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Nguyen Thao Hien - Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Market Development (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that with two-way trade turnover reaching over 5.4 billion USD in 2024, France is currently Vietnam's 4th largest trading partner in Europe, and is also the second largest EU investor in Vietnam with a total registered capital of nearly 4 billion USD.

In the new period, with the advantages of the EVFTA, trade between the two countries has more opportunities to cooperate in the field of trade, linked to sustainable development and green transformation. These are the areas that both Vietnam and France consider as priorities in their socio-economic development strategies.

According to Ms. Hien, French and European consumers in general are increasingly interested in green, clean products with clear origins and environmentally friendly. This is the direction that Vietnamese enterprises are striving to implement. Many enterprises in this delegation have achieved important international certifications such as GlobalGAP, HACCP, ISO, FSC... and are strongly implementing production models towards a circular economy.

Meanwhile, French enterprises have outstanding strengths in technology, distribution systems, and modern logistics. If we combine Vietnam's advantages in abundant supply sources and competitive prices with France's strengths in distribution and technology, we will certainly form new value chains, bringing benefits to both sides.

Vietnam - France Agricultural Economic Forum

Speaking at the event, Mr. Paul Le, Vice President of Trade Promotion, Central Retail Vietnam Group, said that currently, in the context of goods exported to the US facing many challenges due to high tax rates, Vietnamese enterprises need to find ways to diversify export markets and participate in the global playground.

Vietnam has the advantage of abundant raw materials, but to reach out internationally, we need to invest more in deep processing and at the same time build product brands to be able to access the French market and Europe in general.

“With the strength of an international retailer, we accompany Vietnamese businesses in industries and fields with export strengths to learn about the French market and consumer culture; thereby finding more partners to bring goods to the French market in particular and Europe in general,” said Mr. Paul Le.

Vietnam is currently one of the world's top 20 exporting economies with an export turnover of nearly 406 billion USD in 2024, an increase of 15.4% over the previous year. The structure of export goods is increasingly diversified and shifting strongly to the processing and manufacturing industries, accounting for more than 85% of the total turnover, with key products such as phones, electronic components, textiles, footwear, and agricultural and aquatic products such as rice, coffee, and seafood always ranking among the world's leading groups.

Vietnam has signed and implemented more than 17 free trade agreements (FTAs) covering most major markets such as the EU, the US, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN, helping Vietnamese goods penetrate more than 220 countries and territories. Among them is the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). This is a favorable legal framework for Vietnamese and French enterprises to strengthen cooperation, expand markets, and jointly take advantage of tariff incentives.

Source: https://vtv.vn/doanh-nghiep-viet-nam-thuc-day-xuat-khau-tai-thi-truong-phap-100251011144755777.htm