Poland's largest seaport wants to 'welcome' more Vietnamese companies.

Poland is an important import partner of Vietnam – Photo: N. BINH

Polish exports to Vietnam increased by nearly 20% last year, while Vietnam is Poland's largest trading partner among EU countries, with imports almost ten times greater than Polish exports.

This information was released at the Vietnam-Poland trade conference held on November 28 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Liem, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City branch of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI HCM), said that with the current growth in trade and investment relations, many Vietnamese logistics businesses have been exploring and establishing international freight routes from Vietnam to Poland and vice versa.

However, that progress is still far from the full potential for cooperation between the two sides.

Vietnam ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest ratio of coastline length to land area, boasting a coastline of over 3,260km. This has led to the development of a robust maritime transport infrastructure with numerous ports such as Hai Phong, Da Nang , Cat Lai, Cai Mep, Phu Huu, Tan Thuan, Ben Nghe, and Lotus.

On the Polish side, there is also a rich system of ports, such as the ports of Gdansk, Gdynia, and Szczecin.

Among them, the port of Gdansk is one of the largest seaports in Poland. Each year, the port of Gdansk handles nearly 17.8 million tons of cargo, including 185,700 TEU of containerized cargo. It is a major international transport hub, playing a crucial role in the trans-European transport corridor, connecting Northern Europe with Eastern and Southern Europe.

According to her Dorota Pyć , chair of the board of directors, Gdansk Port Authority, stated that with its strategic location, the port of Gdańsk could serve as an ideal entry point for Vietnamese goods into Europe and a gateway for Polish and European products into Vietnam.

Cooperation between businesses of the two countries will not only facilitate trade but also improve logistics efficiency, reduce transit times, and ensure that businesses remain competitive in an increasingly demanding global market.

This is especially relevant given the projected increase in the flow of goods from Southeast Asia to markets, including Europe, as factories relocate to the region.

“This also poses risks as many shipping routes are becoming congested. The recent tensions in the Red Sea have demonstrated this. Shippers must find new routes to ensure the efficiency of international trade,” said Dorota Pyć.

Ambassador Joanna Skoczek of Poland to Vietnam stated that in its trade relations with Vietnam, Poland aims to shift the structure of its trade towards higher-value, more modern goods and services that meet the needs of today's global economy .

Maritime transport is the backbone of the economy. This has been further confirmed after the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of maintaining supply chains and the sustainability of the global economy. Companies worldwide depend on the quality and sustainability of maritime transport.

"This is an ideal time for Polish entrepreneurs who have not yet entered the Vietnamese market to gain a deeper understanding and consider exploring possibilities on a broader scale," affirmed the Polish ambassador to Vietnam.

In the first 10 months of 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries reached over US$2.8 billion, an increase of 21.8% compared to the same period in 2023. Of this, Vietnam's exports to Poland reached over US$2.5 billion, an increase of 24.3%, and Vietnam's imports from Poland reached over US$321 million, an increase of 5%.

Regarding investment relations, as of October 31, 2024, Poland ranked 34th out of 148 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 33 projects and a total registered capital of approximately US$474 million. Specifically in Ho Chi Minh City, Poland ranked 64th out of 117 countries and territories investing in the city with 10 projects.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cang-bien-lon-nhat-ba-lan-muon-don-nhieu-cong-ty-viet-nam-20241128135939877.htm