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| Judith Padrós (L) of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce talks to Vietnamese guests at a networking event held here on Monday evening for Spanish delegates and their local counterparts - Photo: Mong Binh |
Alberto Cerdán told the Daily that executives of some 30 Spanish companies operating in various business fields would participate in a major investment forum planned here in November this year.
Cerdán released the news as Spain’s Barcelona Chamber of Commerce in association with the Segovia and Gijon chambers of commerce is organizing a mission to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to explore new business opportunities and expand their presence in those markets.
The visiting delegation groups Spanish firms in agricultural equipment, project and consultancy services, perfume and aroma, cosmetics, timber products and services, hospital equipment, and waste water treatment among others.
“We are here, not only to sell our products and services but also to look to partnerships with local partners,” Judith Padrós at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, told the Daily at a networking event held in HCMC on Monday.
Cerdán elaborated that some of the Spanish businesses coming to Vietnam in November had already built factories in China, and they wanted to invest in production facilities to take full advantage of lower labor cost in this country and to expand their operations in Asia.
He explained competition in Europe was turning tougher so Spanish companies would gain an advantage in that market if they were able to make products with competitive prices, and Vietnam had emerged as a haven for them.
He confirmed Spanish enterprises were keen to turn out garments and footwear in Vietnam for export to Europe and the United States as well as for consumption in this market.
“They start to think about Vietnam as a market for both production and consumption. For that they need their footing in the region,” he said.
In addition to garment, footwear and fish products, Vietnam will be able to attract Spanish investors in areas of logistics, building materials, food additives, farming and pharmaceutical, according to the Spanish counselor.
Spain is also involved in the fifth subway line to be developed in HCMC. Cerdán said Idom Ingenieria Consultoria S.A. and its local partners had almost completed the feasibility study for the subway development funded by Spain’s ODA loans.
The fifth subway line will stretch 15 kilometers from Can Giuoc Coach Station in District 8 to the Saigon Bridge and the 6-kilometer-long sixth line will connect Ba Queo in Tan Binh District and Phu Lam in District 6. An initial plan envisaged around US$900 million for developing the first route and US$320 million for the latter.
In December last year, high-ranking officials of Spain and Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding under which the European country will provide up to 500 million euros (some US$674 million) for subway development in HCMC.
