EVFTA further foster Vietnam-Germany relations: German Ambassador

• Squid and octopus exports rebound after enforcement of EVFTA
• Fruit exports enjoy substantial preferential tariffs under EVFTA
• Webinar discusses opportunities from EVFTA for French investors

German Ambassador to Vietnam Guido Hildner speaking at the press conference.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the German Unity Day (October 3) and 45 years of diplomatic ties between Germany and Vietnam (September 23), German Ambassador to Vietnam Guido Hildner held a press conference to talk about the Vietnam-Germany relations and advantages of EVFTA to the economic links between the two sides.

Describing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) coming into force on August 1 as a milestone in both sides’ economic links, he emphasized that the deal will further promote the economic partnership between the two countries.

About 380 German businesses have presence in Vietnam.

He also informed that Germany is the most important trade partner of Vietnam in the EU. Vietnam shipped US$10.9 billion worth of goods to Germany last year, which in turn earned US$4.8 billion from exports to the Southeast Asian nation.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam’s exports to Germany still grew 1.6% year-on-year in the first half of 2020. Additionally, investors poured over US$2.1 billion and modern technology into Vietnam last year, up5.8 % from 2018, and that 380 German businesses have presence in the country.

Vietnam presenting facemasks to support Germans in the fight against COVD-19.

The diplomat highly appreciated the fact that while countries around the world have been seriously affected by COVID-19, Vietnam has moved to assist some, including Germany, by sending face masks, which is an encouraging sign of international solidarity.

This year marks the 45 years of diplomatic ties between Germany and Vietnam. Ambassador Hildner said that, how to develop the strategic partnership was also among the issues discussed during phone talks between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 13 and between German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on September 25.