Poland reaching out to step up co-operation with Vietnam

Polish President Andrzej Duda came to visit Vietnam after State President Tran Dai Quang's invitation

The Polish economy ranks 23^rd over the world and 6^th in the European Union (EU). It is also the largest economy in Central Europe with a GDP of $510 billion. Poland has become one of the largest exporters over the world, with a total export turnover of $204 billion in 2016.

This economy was unique in the EU as it avoided the 2007-2008 economic depression. It has been steadily growing for the past 26 years with a record high growth in EU. In September 2017, FTSE Russell, a reputable international index company announced raising Poland’s status from emerging market to developing market.

In order to further strengthen the close and friendly relations between the two countries, the meeting between Polish President Andrzej Duda and his spouse with the Vietnamese alumni of Polish universities on November 27, 2017 was the first meeting during their official state visit to Vietnam this week.

President Duda highly appreciated the contributions of the Vietnamese alumni of Polish universities in promoting bilateral relations. “When you studied overseas in Poland, you were considered as representatives of Vietnam in Poland, when you returned to your hometown to work, you were representatives of Poland in Vietnam. Thank you for your very important role in developing bilateral relations,” stated the president.

Polish President Andrzej Duda and his spouse with the Vietnamese alumni

Currently, there are approximately 30,000 Vietnamese people living in Poland, including 300 students. The Vietnamese community in Poland ranks fifth in Europe, behind France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic.

“We hope that this figure will rise in the future. Education for Vietnamese students is an important task because they have become key people in the governance and management system of your country, as well as good friends of Poland to introduce and advertise Poland to Vietnamese people,” said the president.

Pham Khoi Nguyen

Pham Khoi Nguyen, chairman of the Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association (VPFA) and former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, confirmed that the Vietnamese alumni from Polish universities have been solid in their professional and management capacities, with respectable work ethics.

“Despite the geographic distance, we usually follow Poland’s development. We are delighted and proud of Poland’s socioeconomic achievements in recent years. Poland is a modern country, plays an active role in the EU, and people’s lives have steadily improved,” said Nguyen.

On this occasion, the Polish president awarded medals to Vietnamese individuals and a Polish flag to VPFA to recognise their contributions to spurring and developing the solidarity, friendship, and co-operation between the two countries.

The Vietnamese alumni of Polish universities consider Poland their second home

Poland is now the first-ranking partner of Vietnam in East-Central Europe, while Vietnam is Poland’s seventh-ranking partner outside the EU. Two-way trade turnover has been increasing fast, and Vietnam retains a trade surplus towards Poland. In 2016, two-way trade turnover hit $790 million (Vietnamese export exports were $598 million and imports $192 million). Particularly in the first nine months 2017, this figure was $730 million.

Due to political stability, its central position in the EU, and high-quality human resources, Poland is also an attractive investment destination. The state visit of the Polish president to Vietnam also facilitate the businesses of the two countries to explore and promote co-operation opportunities of trade and investment.

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