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| A gathering of Australian entrepreneurs and Vietnamese partners in HCMC. More networking events have been organized in HCMC for Australian companies to meet with their Vietnamese counterparts over opportunities to boost exports to this market - Photo: Mong Binh |
“Queensland’s new representative will be based in Austrade’s office in HCMC,… assisting Queensland’s export performance in Vietnam,” Robertson said in a statement released last week.
The Australian consulate general in HCMC told the Daily via email that the new trade representative should be installed this October at the latest as advised by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) office in Vietnam.
Robertson said Vietnam had offered new opportunities for Queensland businesses looking to expand their base to South East Asia since the country’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in January 2007. Vietnam’s commitment to market reform also makes it an attractive destination for foreign investment, he noted.
“Vietnam is now considered a leading growth economy in the ASEAN region, with opportunities in a range of sectors including infrastructure development, both public and private,” Robertson said.
“By providing market advice and on the ground support with logistics, Queensland companies will be well placed to take advantage of these growth economies,” he added.
Figures showed Australia’s merchandise trade with Vietnam in 2009 was nearly A$4.5 billion, with imports from Vietnam exceeding A$3.1 billion worth of crude oil, furniture, mattresses and cushions, fruit and nuts, and footwear. Australian exports to Vietnam included wheat, copper, and aluminum among others.
