The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau and the Ministry of Industry & Trade of Vietnam jointly held a webinar today to explore collaboration in trade, investment, professional services as well as innovation and technology (I&T).

The "Revival under the 'New Normalcy': Hong Kong - Viet Nam Partnership" webinar attracted some 500 sign-ups.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau spoke at the opening session in which he underlined the close trade, economic and cultural relations between Hong Kong and Vietnam.

He said bilateral business and trade ties had become more beneficial after the Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) came into force in February, adding that Hong Kong would seek closer partnership with Vietnam.

Mr Yau said there is room for even closer Hong Kong-Vietnam collaboration in areas such as biotechnology, medical technology as well as information and communication technologies while the two places are facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The commerce chief introduced the I&T experience sharing and business promotion platform covering inventions that are being successfully used in Hong Kong and emphasised the city’s readiness to share its experience with Vietnam.

Noting that Vietnam has embarked on a number of infrastructure and investment projects, Mr Yau highlighted the roles of Hong Kong's professional and financial services and appealed to Vietnamese enterprises to leverage the city’s unique advantages to capitalise on the opportunities offered by China including the Belt & Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The webinar is the fifth one the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has organised with its ASEAN partners following similar webinars held with Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines since 2020.