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| Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Ho Chi Minh City Mr. Ngo Hong Chuyen delivers remarks at the ceremony. (Photo: SGGP) |
On October 31, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Czech Republic Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony to mark the 106th National Day of the Czech Republic (October 28, 1918 - 2024).
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Muoi affirmed that the Vietnamese people always remember the valuable material and moral support in the struggle for national liberation in the past, as well as in the current process of defending and building the country.
He noted that in recent times, both sides have effectively taken advantage of the Vietnam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). After four years of implementation, bilateral trade has seen positive growth, reaching over USD554 million in 2020 and USD1.13 billion in 2023. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, the total trade turnover between Vietnam and the Czech Republic reached USD1.28 billion, with Vietnam exporting nearly USD1.13 billion and importing more than USD164 million from the Czech Republic.
He expressed gratitude and high appreciation to the Czech Embassy in Vietnam and the Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Ho Chi Minh City for supporting the activities of the Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Czech Republic Friendship Association in fulfilling their role as a bridge between the people of Ho Chi Minh City and the Czech Republic.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Ho Chi Minh City Mr. Ngo Hong Chuyen noted that the Czech Republic was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam and one of the initial EU members to ratify the EVFTA and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
According to Mr. Chuyen, the economies of Vietnam and the Czech Republic are both experiencing rapid growth and extensive integration into regional and global economies. Bilateral trade has steadily increased, especially following two years of the EVFTA’s implementation. In terms of investment, as of June 2024, the Czech Republic had 41 projects in Vietnam, with a total capital of USD92.38 million, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
He emphasized that the Czech Republic values enhancing and developing cooperative relations with Vietnam, viewing Vietnam as its most important partner in Southeast Asia and one of its priority economic partners outside the EU. In the first four months of 2024, Vietnam ranked among the top 20 export markets to the Czech Republic, leading in Southeast Asia and sixth in Asia./.