US state hopes to develop economic ties with VN

Governor Chris Gregoire of Washington state hopes to develop strong economic ties with Vietnam as his state is building businesses relationship with the country.

The Washington state-based Northwest Asian Weekly quoted the Governor as saying that ” Vietnam is an emerging market that’s projected to grow by 6 percent over the next three years”.

The weekly also quoted Jason Kelly, Communications Director for the Washington State Department of Agriculture, as saying many Washington firms in the renewable energy sector are interested in pursuing opportunities to work in Vietnam as the Vietnamese government is making major investments in renewable energy and Vietnam seeks to build a more widespread grid of green-powered energy throughout the country.

Gov. Gregoire and representatives from 50 small and medium-sized businesses in her company are expected to make a trade mission to Vietnam and China from Sept. 13 – 24 in the hope of creating new export opportunities for the state.

During the trade mission to Vietnam , Gov. Gregoire, her delegation, and business representatives will travel to Hanoi , Hue , and Ho Chi Minh City , Kelly said. It will mark her first trip to Vietnam . Gov. Gregoire will be the third Washington state governor to travel to Vietnam to promote export relations, after Gov. Mike Lowry and Gov. Gary Locke.

“With our location on the Pacific Rim, Asia is a natural opportunity for Washington state businesses interested in export opportunities,” said Kelly. He added: “This is an advantage, and Gregoire has charged the state with expanding by 600 million USD from export state sales over the next five years.”

Washington state has already exported 92 million USD in commercial exports and 30 million USD in agriculture to Vietnam including the sales of beef, french fries, and apples, as well as software and electronics.

At a hearing convened by several congressional committees at the Port of Seattle on June 22, Gregoire said in addition to reaching out to potential trading partners, she wanted to encourage more foreign students to study in Washington , and start up a “farm-to-market” initiative that will have existing state programmes compete for money to develop their ideas.

According to the governor, exports have been a big part of Washington ’s past economic health, and trade is going to help the state lead the nation in recovery from the recession.

Washington state has been well-known for aircraft, electronics, biotechnology and mining industries.

Tags: Vietnam US Trade, Vietnam-US bilateral trade