Port of Gdansk Business Mixer in Vietnam – Great Success
By Marek Grzybowski
The economic mission of the Port of Gdansk took place in Ho Chi Minh City on November 28-29, 2024. It is one of the most important economic and industrial centers in the ASEAN region. Ho Chi Minh City is the main port in Vietnam. Vietnam is Poland’s largest trading partner among ASEAN countries. The EU-Vietnam free trade agreement was concluded in 2019.
Business Mixer was divided into two parts. The first day featured a conference and four panel discussions. The second day featured B2B meetings. On the Polish side, the conference and meetings were attended by: Dorota Pyć, President of the Port of Gdansk Authority, Paweł Krężel, Director of the Department of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Joanna Skoczek, Chargée d’affaires ad interim of the Republic of Poland in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Tran Ngoc Liem, Director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ho Chi Minh City Branch (VCCI-HCM) represented the Vietnamese side.
During the first ten months of 2024, Ho Chi Minh City maintained its leading economic position, contributing the largest share of Vietnam’s total import-export turnover, reaching nearly 88 billion USD, up by 7.3 billion USD year-on-year – informed Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department. The turnover of import-export Dong Nai reached 53.27 billion USD, an increase of 2.97 billion USD and Hanoi reached 49.37 billion USD, an increase of 4.96 billion USD – ccording to data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
The trade between Poland and Vietnam is growing. Exports from Vietnam to Poland increased by 7% in 2023. The entire exchange in 2024 will reach the value of USD 2.8 billion. Poland imports goods and services worth USD 2.4 billion from Vietnam.
It was the third Business Mixer organized in the Asia Pacific region. On the Polish side, 46 Polish companies from industries such as shipbuilding, food, logistics, construction, machinery, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics participated in the mission to Vietnam. The Vietnamese side was represented by 77 entrepreneurs. Poland and Vietnam will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year.
