WORDS ON THE STREET 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Home / Economy / Trade - Service
Cooperative opportunity for Vietnam, UK businesses
14:13, 2014/06/12
Vietnam and the UK expect to expand their trade and investment ties following the recent inauguration of a HCM City-based business centre by the British Business Group Vietnam (BBGV).
A major export market in the EU
 
UK firm Laird has opened first manufacturing facility in Vietnam
UK firm Laird has opened first manufacturing facility in Vietnam
Two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and the UK has been steadily increasing in recent years, from just US$1.15 billion in 2008 to US$4.26 billion in 2013.
Vietnam has achieved an annual export growth of 17%, and it currently enjoys a healthy surplus in trade with the UK.
Vietnam and the UK established a strategic partnership in 2010, targeting to raise bilateral trade to US$4 billion in 2013; however, that benchmark was surpassed in 2013 when trade hit a value of US$4.27 billion.
Vietnam mainly exports seafood, vegetables and fruit, cashew nut, coffee, tea, pepper, plastic products, rubber, bags, wallets, hats, umbrellas, bamboo products, garments, footwear, computers and electronic components to the UK.
Its major imports include machinery, equipment, chemicals and chemical products, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, garment and footwear accessories, cotton, and steel.
According to Vietnam Customs statistics, Vietnam’s exports to the UK hit US$1.16 billion in the first four months of this year.
The UK is a dynamic market that has its own criteria, besides EU regulations. To boost exports to the market, domestic businesses are advised to grasp its regulations on brand names with a clear country of origin (C/O), weight, size and components.
Business centre – leverage for increased trade operation
British businesses have invested in Vietnam since 1988-1989; however, they have mainly concentrated their investment in oil and gas. In recent years, they have begun to expand their investment in other fields in banking, finance, manufacturing industry, services and garment.
To support British operations in Vietnam, the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the BBGV opened the business centre to serves as a bridge between British and Vietnamese businesses through supplying services, such as market research, business connectivity activities, trade events, and consultancy.
It also helps UK businesses seek potential partners and conduct training courses on the business environment.
The establishment of the centre demonstrates the UK’s confidence in the Vietnamese market. The British Government chose Vietnam as a pilot market to carry out the Overseas Business Networks Initiative (OBNI), and the newly-established centre will help enhance the capacity of the business support system globally.
In the future, the UKTI and the BBVG will jointly support British businesses in market promotion, accession, development and expansion.
According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment; as of the end of May 2014 the UK ranked 17th among foreign investors in Vietnam with 118 projects capitalized at US$2.8 billion.
Other news
21:45, 2025/01/15
Hanoi seeks 5% export growth in 2025
The city’s total import-export turnover reached US$60.1 billion in 2024, up 11% year-on-year.
08:41, 2025/01/11
Vietnam-Laos Industrial Park: New direction to strengthen bilateral ties
Numerous Vietnamese projects in various sectors have effectively contributed to Laos' development, creating jobs and improving the livelihoods of tens of thousands of local workers.
22:19, 2025/01/09
Hanoi's foreign trade turnover hits US$60.1bn in 2024
The city will continue to support businesses in exploring new markets, capitalizing on the Free Trade Agreement of which Vietnam is a member.
11:46, 2025/01/09
Vietnam confident of achieving 8% growth rate in 2025
Key drivers of Vietnam’s growth include institutional reforms and decentralized governance.
14:34, 2024/12/26
UK’s accession to CPTPP to benefit Vietnam’s exports in 2025
Vietnam, in particular, will gain further access to a high-quality market, complementing its connections with Japan, Canada, and Australia.
16:41, 2024/12/16
Hanoi seeks greater efficiency in e-commerce tax management
Hanoi's e-commerce tax administration is expected to be significantly tightened in the near future.