(VEN) – Haiti’s Minister of Industry and Trade and Minister of Economics and Finance Wilson Laleau when talking with Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Tran Tuan Anh said “Vietnam should establish an export processing zone or a goods center in Haiti to facilitate the penetration of Vietnamese goods into the markets of North and Central America as some exports from Haiti to these markets are completely free of taxes.”
According to Wilson Laleau, Vietnam’s exports are improving in terms of added value in world market, in particular regarding textiles. Currently, Haiti’s demand for Vietnamese goods has increased, which provides a good opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to increase production and set up production bases and goods distribution services in Haiti. In particular, via Haiti, Vietnamese enterprises will be able to reach the markets of Central and North America, a great stepping stone for Vietnam goods to enjoy tax incentives.
In addition, Haiti is conducting reconstruction of its infrastructure so, in the future, Haiti hopes for closer cooperation with foreign partners, especially Vietnam, in building infrastructure and ports. “This partnership also brings economic benefits for Vietnam as Haiti can act as bridge to help Vietnamese products reach the markets of North and Central America. Currently Haiti is involved with developing its highways and seaports as it has comparative advantage of proximity to Central and North America (about 1.5 hours by plane to the US). Another advantage is that the Panama Canal is to be widened this year. If Haiti has good port infrastructure, this will be a great opportunity to pick up goods from many Asian countries, particularly Vietnam,” Wilson Laleau said.
According to Deputy Minister Tran Tuan Anh, Vietnam will continue to cooperate with Haiti to deploy infrastructure development projects in various forms such as ventures or investment advice with technical support. Specifically, Vietnam will soon send delegations to Haiti including companies in textiles, leather and footwear, energy, electricity, electronics, construction and industrial processing to work with local partners.
“Vietnam reiterated its determination and desire to promote cooperation between the two countries and will soon unveil specific points for real and practical bilateral benefits,” Deputy Minister Tran Tuan Anh said.
After the bilateral talks, the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement on Trade and Investment between Vietnam and Haiti took place between the Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Vu Huy Hoang and Minister of Industry and Trade and Minister of Economics and Finance of Haiti Laleau Wilson. This legal framework will help the two sides further strengthen cooperation in all areas, including the establishment and implementation of a Joint Committee which will act as a bilateral business communication and support channel.
Under this agreement, the two countries will effectively implement the Memorandum of Understanding on Vietnam-Haiti trade in rice, in which Vietnam has committed to continue to provide good quality rice at competitive prices. Via Joint Committee, Vietnam will implement technology transfer activities through cooperation in the agricultural sector relating to improving the quality of rice in Haiti, rice cultivation and irrigation works.
During the first five months of this year, Vietnam’s exports to Haiti have increased 355 percent over the same period last year in terms of value, reaching US$20.2 million. Major Vietnamese exports included rice, machinery, equipment and spare parts, and mobile phones. In the coming time, Vietnam’s exports to Haiti will see strong growth as more construction materials complete their delivery./.
By Hoa Le
Đăng ký: VietNam News
