The event, co-organized by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, The European House - Ambrosetti (TEHA), Associazione Italy-ASEAN, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Becamex Group, attracted over 500 high-level delegates, ministers, experts, and businesspeople from ASEAN countries and Italy.
The forum was attended by over 500 delegates, including leaders from ministries, departments, localities, international organizations, diplomatic agencies, businesses, and academics from ASEAN countries and Italy.
The forum comprises five in-depth working sessions, focusing on key topics such as the ASEAN-Italy economic and geopolitical outlook, green industry and clean energy development, strengthening infrastructure and logistics connectivity, promoting high-quality agriculture and food, Industry 5.0, and the innovation ecosystem.
The discussions also focused on expanding investment flows between the two regions, particularly in high-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors.
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| Party Central Committee Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung attended online and delivered a speech at the opening session. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
In his opening remarks, Central Party Committee Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed that the event is not only an economic forum, but also a vivid manifestation of the long-term cooperation vision between ASEAN and the European Union (EU) in general, and Italy in particular.
The Minister expects the program to be not only a forum for policy exchange and idea networking, but also a starting point for practical collaborative initiatives and projects, contributing to opening a new phase of cooperation.
According to Minister Le Hoai Trung, Italy is a leading industrial nation in Europe and plays an important bridging role between the EU and ASEAN.
Italy's official membership as an ASEAN Development Partner has opened a new phase of deeper cooperation between Europe and Southeast Asia amidst a global reshaping of the economic order.
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| Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc and other leaders attended the opening session of the ASEAN-Italy High-Level Dialogue Forum on Economic Relations on the morning of November 13. (Source: SGGP) |
As an active, dynamic, and responsible member of ASEAN, Vietnam always stands alongside the region on the path of integration and sustainable development. Vietnam is proud to be Italy's largest trading partner in ASEAN, and also a strategic destination for European investors – a place where trust, opportunities, and long-term cooperation potential converge.
Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized: "Ho Chi Minh City – a megacity aiming for global stature in Southeast Asia – is gradually asserting its role as a center of international finance, science and technology, and innovation in Vietnam. The fact that the ASEAN-Italy Economic Dialogue Forum 2025 is being held in Binh Duong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, is of particular significance."
This event not only marks an expansion in geographical and administrative space, but also represents a step forward in development thinking, demonstrating a vision for restructuring the economic space towards connecting people, technology, and knowledge. This is a vivid symbol of the values that Vietnam always preserves, promotes, and spreads in its relations with international friends."
Looking to the future, the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized Vietnam's commitment to maintaining a transparent, stable investment environment and encouraging innovation, while affirming its role as a strategic bridge between Southeast Asia and Europe, with Italy being a reliable partner in the region.
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| Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Della Seta speaks at the opening session. (Source: SGGP) |
At the opening ceremony, the Italian Ambassador to Vietnam, Marco Della Seta, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi.
The Italian Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed that this forum is proof of the increasingly important role Italy plays in Southeast Asia.
In terms of economic cooperation, ASEAN-Italy relations have reached a significant level. Total trade between Italy and ASEAN in 2024 reached approximately 23 billion Euros (26.6 billion USD). Of this, trade between Italy and Vietnam reached 6.9 billion USD, an increase of 13.4% compared to the same period.
According to the Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the main strength of Vietnam-Italy economic relations lies in their complementary nature. Italy provides high-quality intermediate goods such as fabrics, leather, and yarn to support Vietnam's manufacturing sector. Conversely, Vietnam exports finished garments and footwear to Italy.
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| Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc speaks at the opening session. (Photo: SGGP) |
Representing the Ho Chi Minh City government, Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, delivered a welcoming speech emphasizing that the city is oriented towards development according to the model of "3 regions - 1 special zone - 3 corridors - 5 pillars".
These include five strategic pillars: high-tech industry; logistics and seaports; international financial center; tourism and cultural industries; and education, healthcare, and science and technology.
Ho Chi Minh City aims to become an international megacity in Southeast Asia, ranking among the top 100 most livable cities globally by 2045.
According to statistics, Italy is currently Vietnam's third largest trading partner in the EU. In the first seven months of 2025, bilateral trade reached US$4.3 billion, an increase of 5.1% compared to the same period in 2024.
Italy has 162 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of over 624 million USD, while Vietnam has 11 projects in Italy with a total capital of nearly 700,000 USD.
Concluding the opening session, Vietnamese and Ho Chi Minh City leaders called on businesses, investors, and international organizations to work together for a peaceful, innovative, and prosperous future, contributing to the sustainable development of ASEAN, Vietnam, and Italy.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hop-tac-kinh-te-asean-italy-viet-nam-khang-dinh-vai-role-cau-noi-chien-luoc-giua-dong-nam-a-va-chau-au-334278.html
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