A delegation of the Lombardy Region led by President Attilio Fontana has just concluded its visit to Hanoi with a series of meetings and activities that are very important to enhancing the excellent relations between Vietnam and Lombardy and Vietnam and Italy.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Lombardy Region's President Attilio Fontana in Hanoi on Oct 6. Photo: VNA

In the framework of an institutional mission to Vietnam, the delegation includes the Region’s Undersecretary for International and European Relations, Raffaele Cattaneo, the Secretary General of Confindustria Lombardia, Dario Voltattorni, and representatives of the Lombard academic sector and the UCIMU Group.

They engaged in high-level institutional meetings, including those held on October 5 and 6 with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, and Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh.

During this, the delegations identified new synergies and further opportunities for collaboration between Lombardy and Hanoi and between the region and Vietnam. Since Lombardy is the main Italian exporting region, they discussed how to increase trade and promote Made in Italy without neglecting the possible cooperation in culture, education, tourism, and urban development.

The agenda includes the discussion to boost trade and promote Made in Italy in Vietnam and in ASEAN. The goal is to turn potential and opportunities into targeted projects and collaborative endeavors.

The delegation also visited the production plants and met the employees of Hung Yen Knitting & Dyeing Co. Ltd, a historic Italian investment in Vietnam belonging to the Lombard Carvico Group.

The important meeting in Hanoi was the one with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during which it was reiterated that in the year that marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Italy and Vietnam intend to seize all opportunities for collaboration and further promote economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Fontana affirmed that Italy values its relationship with Vietnam. With sound development policies and directions, a “human-centered” strategy, and a sizable young population, he highly valued Vietnam’s potential for sustainable and comprehensive development.

Meanwhile, the prime minister suggested that the two sides keep bolstering their economic and trade ties by capitalizing on their shared attributes and advantages. Italy should open its market access for goods that are in demand and strong in Vietnam, like clothing, leather goods, footwear, and agro-aquatic products.

To boost trade, he hoped the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) should be used more effectively and the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) should proceed more quickly between the two countries.

Additionally, the PM suggested that the Lombardy region explore the idea of forming a cooperation with a Vietnamese region, such as the Red River Delta region with Hanoi or the Southeast region with Ho Chi Minh City.

As part of his commitment, the Italian ambassador to Vietnam promised to quicken the opening of a direct air route between the two nations.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh (R) meets President Fontana on Oct 5. Photo: Lien Ha/The Hanoi Times

At the meeting between President Fontana and Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh, the two sides identified opportunities for collaboration and synergies between Lombardy and Hanoi in the fields of business, culture, and higher education.

Chairman Thanh emphasized the great cooperation potential and expressed his hope that the two sides would reinforce partnership in the development of infrastructure, mechanics, renewable energy, environment, architecture, and fashion.

The city’s mayor highly appreciated the Italian Embassy in Vietnam for its role in fostering communication and understanding between the people and in advancing the friendship between Hanoi and Italian localities.

He expressed the hope that, with assistance from regional leaders and the Italian Embassy in Vietnam, businesses from Italy in general and the Lombardy region in particular will intensify their collaboration with Hanoi for the interests of both sides.

The delegation continues its trip to Ho Chi Minh City, where the University of Insubria and the University of Economics and Finance will sign a Memorandum of Understanding. Later, the delegation met with the People’s Committee of Binh Duong and visit the Eastern International University.