The MoU was officially announced at a gala dinner held on January 11 in London, marking a new phase in strengthening linkages among Vietnamese enterprises in Europe’s major economic and policy centers.
    |
 |
|
Nguyen Thi Li Le, President of VBUK, and Nguyen Thanh Vinh, President of VBAB, exchange an MoU on strengthening cooperation between the two associations. |
Belgium, home to the European Commission, the European Council and numerous E.U. policy-making bodies, is considered an important “institutional gateway” for Vietnamese businesses seeking to understand standards and market orientations of the European Union. Against this backdrop, the cooperation agreement between VBUK, VBAB and related community and cultural organizations is expected to create a strong connectivity axis linking Vietnamese enterprises in the U.K., Belgium and the wider E.U.
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency in London, Nguyen Thi Li Le, President of VBUK, expressed her hope that closer coordination between VBUK and VBAB would help enhance the standing of the Vietnamese business community in Europe. She noted that the two sides plan to jointly organize activities to promote Vietnamese goods and products in the U.K. and Belgium.
Under the agreed cooperation framework, VBUK and VBAB aim to build a robust network connecting Vietnamese entrepreneurs in two countries that play important roles in Europe’s economic structure: the U.K., a global center for finance and trade, and Belgium, a hub for E.U. institutions and policymaking. Key areas of cooperation include sharing information on economic policies and institutional environments, promoting trade and investment, supporting member businesses with market access and partner searches, and co-organizing forums, seminars and business networking activities.
Nguyen Thanh Vinh, President of VBAB, said the association has established close links with the Vietnamese Intellectuals Association in Belgium and Luxembourg, facilitating exchanges on new technologies and market trends to support both overseas businesses and localities in Vietnam.
Beyond purely economic cooperation, the associations have also highlighted the role of culture and people-to-people diplomacy in the integration process. The signing of an MoU between VBUK and the We Love Pho Association reflects a “soft” yet effective approach that uses culture as a bridge to expand opportunities in business, tourism and trade. This trend highlights how Vietnamese business communities abroad are increasingly combining soft power with their economic strength.
Mai Hai Lam, President of the We Love Pho Association and a member of the executive board of the Vietnam Business Association in Poland, shared plans to organize year-round activities promoting Vietnamese cuisine. These would include spring events linked to the Lunar New Year, summer showcases of street food, autumn programs around the National Day (September 2), and winter activities highlighting Vietnamese cuisine during themed weeks in December.
Source: VNA