Rome (VNA) – A series of workshops and seminars on thepotential for promoting economic cooperation between Vietnam and the Umbria region, along with trade and investment promotion events, were hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy on April 14 – 16.

The events were part of activities in the framework of the Vietnam – Italy Year2023 in celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of the diplomaticties between the two nations.

In his speech at the workshop “Vietnam-Italy economic support: opportunitiesfor the Umbria region" which was held in coordination with the ConfindustriaUmbria and Umbria Export, Ambassador Duong Hai Hung stressed that economiccooperation is a bright spot in the bilateral relations, noting that Vietnam isItaly's largest trading partner in ASEAN while Italy is Vietnam's fourth biggestpartner in the European Union (EU).

He mentioned similarities and mutual complementarity in the economic structurebetween the two countries, which can bring significant added value to both sides in cooperation.

The twocountries need to expand cooperation in economic areas where Italy hasstrengths and Vietnam has demand, such as basic and supportingindustries, hi-tech industries, smart agriculture, agricultural exports,mechanical engineering, construction materials, oil and gas,and green energy, he said.

General Director of Confindustria Umbria Simone Cascioli saidthat Vietnam is currently a dynamic partner that Perugia, the capital city of Umbria, wants to promotecooperation in business, investment and market expansion.

He said Confindustria Umbria consists of about 900 businesses with more than47,000 employees. Although most are small and medium-sized enterprises, theyhave strong international relations and are accelerating internationalisation,especially in areas of green economy, high technology, robotics, automation,smart agriculture and renewable energy.

The workshop offers a chance for the two sides to enhancethe connection among their businesses, and boost cooperation in trade,investment, technology transfer, training high-quality human resources; andshare experience in building policies and institutions.

On the occasion, Ambassador Hung had meetings with representatives ofbusinesses in the cities of Perugia, Trasimeno, Citta di Castello, Foglino and Gubbio,during which he briefed on business opportunities in Vietnam.

He also visited a number of traditional enterprises in the region such as TelaUmbria textile factory and famous wineries, and Laboratory of MechatronicsLABOMEC, which is located in one of the most industrially concentrated areas inUmbria./.