Success of the economic mission of the Port of Gdansk and contractors in Vietnam

The economic mission of the Port of Gdansk took place on November 28-29, 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), one of the most important economic and industrial centers in the region, which is also the seat of the main seaport in Vietnam.

This was the third edition of the event, the idea of ​​which is to connect businesses from different parts of the world. Previous Business Mixer events resulted in many contracts. There are many indications that this year’s mission will be similar. Both parties are counting on a new hand in their business relations.

46 Polish companies from various industries took advantage of the opportunity to present their offer and establish fruitful contacts on the Vietnamese market, with over 98 million consumers – potential buyers of Polish products, including shipbuilding, food, logistics, construction, machinery, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. The Vietnamese side was represented by 77 entrepreneurs.

– Vietnam’s economy is developing very quickly. This gives us a concrete incentive to take action to strengthen economic cooperation in the port and sea sector in international trade with Vietnam. Let me just remind you that Vietnam is a member state of the Association of Southeast Asia (ASEAN), an organization of Asian countries with great economic potential. Currently, Vietnam is Poland’s largest trading partner among ASEAN countries. It should also be remembered that in 2019 a free trade agreement was concluded between the EU and Vietnam, which bodes well for strengthening economic relations with this country – explains Dorota Pićpresident of the Port of Gdansk.

We import more than we send

Business Mixer has been divided into two parts. The conference part took place on the first day, and B2B meetings and talks on the second day. Participants could listen to four discussion panels, the common denominator of which was establishing and strengthening cooperation between Poland and Vietnam. The background to the talks were the introductory speeches. He was the first to speak out Tran Ngoc Liemdirector of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ho Chi Minh City Branch (VCCI-HCM). He recalled that next year both countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Trade relations between Warsaw and Hanoi are good – exchange is growing, and exports from Vietnam to Poland increased by 7% in 2023. All replacement in 2024 amounts to USD 2.8 billion, but is unbalanced – almost USD 2.4 billion is the value of exports from Vietnam to Poland. Electronics, seafood and plastic products dominate here. Poland, in turn, exports chemicals, medicines, cosmetics, food products and meat.

Joanna SkoczekChargée d’affaires ad interim of the Republic of Poland in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, emphasized that the Polish government is convinced that Vietnam is the most promising Asian partner for Poland. In her opinion, apart from increasing trade, it is also important to change its structure and modernize it to make it more adapted to contemporary realities. At the same time, she assured that the two maritime countries are aware of how important it is to maintain supply chains and open, safe channels.

He represented the Ministry of Infrastructure Paweł Krężeldirector of the Department of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation.

– Vietnam is a growing market, one of the fastest growing in Asia, 36th in the world. Business Mixer is a great opportunity for Polish business to expand its presence on this market – he argued.

Dorota Pićpresident of the Port of Gdansk, also emphasized that the Port of Gdansk, as one of the fastest growing ports in the European Union and throughout Europe, is open to strengthening business relations between the two countries.

–Today’s global economy requires strong partnerships focused on sustainable development. The Port of Gdansk is ready for this. We are open to further strengthening economic cooperation with Asian markets – she assured.

New connections mean new opportunities

During discussion panels the hottest topic was planned for February 2025. launch of new shipping routes between the Port of Gdansk and the Vietnamese port of Vũng Tàu. These connections mark a new era in economic cooperation between our countries. MSC’s weekly BRITANNIA (westbound) and ALBATROS (eastbound) services, as well as additional weekly GEMINI alliance services, will significantly increase the efficiency and scale of trade between Poland and Vietnam.

– Vietnam has a port development strategy, but needs funds to develop its network. The local government is looking for partners and wants to work with international investors from the maritime industry – he spoke Pham Quac Longchairman of the Vietnam Association of Ship Agents, Brokers and Maritime Service Providers VISABA.

He added that Gdańsk is perceived in Vietnam as an important educational center in the maritime industry – many Vietnamese working in the shipping sector studied here.

Dorota Pić, president of the Port of Gdansk, emphasized that changes in trade with China make Southeast Asia more and more attractive to European countries. In turn, eastern and central Europe is a rapidly developing market thanks to containerization. More trade means, among other things, more containers. Investments in infrastructure in Poland and Vietnam will ensure faster, cheaper and more reliable trade.

Charles Bakergeneral director of Baltic Hub, the largest container terminal in the Baltic Sea, argued that Poland can be a hub for Vietnamese exporters not only to Central and Eastern Europe, but also to Scandinavian countries that can be serviced using feeders. Modern technologies also influence the development of port capabilities.

Vietnam may benefit from strengthening trade relations with Poland. Poland provides strategic access to the EU market, strengthening Vietnam’s global economic integration and export diversification. In this way, the country’s export-based socio-economic growth strategy and increasing its presence on competitive international markets are supported.

– We are pleasantly surprised by such great interest in Business Mixer. This is a great initiative, an opportunity to exchange knowledge, information and build strong partnerships for a good, sustainable future – sums up the president Dorota Pić.