226 European diplomats, businesspeople arrive in Vietnam for investment activities
A special flight from Germany has brought 226 diplomats and businesspeople from 15 European countries, and all were quarantined on arrival.
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| European diplomats and businesspeople on a special flight from Frankfurt to Vietnam, July 30, 2020. Photo courtesy of Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam. |
Marko Walde, chief representative of the delegation, said that "This will promote investment and business activities as well as contribute to the successful achievement of the dual objectives: promoting socioeconomic development and effectively preventing the epidemic in Vietnam."
"This flight will be a special mark in the EU - Vietnam relationship as well as German – Vietnamese cooperation, a perfect start when the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will come into effect on August 1, 2020," Marko added.
The EVFTA reduces or eliminates tariffs on 99% of goods.
Vietnam halted international commercial flights and entry for foreign nationals in late March and has since only allowed people with diplomatic or official passports, experts and high-skilled workers to enter.
Vietnam has recorded 590 COVID-19 cases as of August 2 morning with three fatalities being reported so far.
The country of 96 million has been struggling with a new wave of domestic infections.
