Scottish Secretary to visit Vietnam to boost trade links with Scotland
Alister Jack joined by Scotch Whisky Association to boost Vietnamese export market
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack will travel to Vietnam this week on a mission to boost trade and diplomatic links. He will be joined by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), in a drive to boost the Vietnamese export market.聽
Vietnam has strong business and educational links to Scotland, and 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the UK and Vietnam establishing formal diplomatic relations.聽
Mr Jack will undertake a packed programme in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which will include:
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speaking to leading聽political figures from the Vietnamese government;
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hosting (jointly with the SWA) a whisky reception in Hanoi for key business representatives, plus a reception in Ho Chi Minh City to promote Scottish produce;聽
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visiting textile manufacturer Coats, to hear about their operations in Vietnam; and聽
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meeting students at the British University Vietnam (BUV) and seeing the signing of a new partnership between the BUV with Stirling University.
Alister Jack said:
바카라 사이트淚t is a real honour to聽promote UK interests in Vietnam 바카라 사이트� particularly this year which marks 50 years of the UK바카라 사이트檚 and Vietnam바카라 사이트檚 formal diplomatic relations. I look forward to building on these strong and important ties with our Vietnamese friends.聽
바카라 사이트淭he UK 바카라 사이트바카라 사이트檚 post-Brexit free trade agreement with Vietnam offers huge opportunities for Scottish businesses, and I look forward to promoting Scotch and other important Scottish exports in this important market.바카라 사이트�
During his visit to Hanoi, Mr Jack will meet with Vietnam바카라 사이트檚 Foreign Minister, Bui Thanh Son, reaffirming the UK바카라 사이트檚 commitment to furthering cooperation with Vietnam in a wide range of fields, including this year바카라 사이트檚 celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations. He will also meet the Agriculture and Rural Development Vice Minister, Phung Duc Tien, and the Vice Minister for Industry and Trade, Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan. Mr Jack will focus on ways to strengthen UK-Vietnam trade relations, particularly in light of the UK바카라 사이트檚 recent agreement to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). He will also meet the to discuss international relations.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Mr Jack will meet with the City바카라 사이트檚 political leadership and the National Assembly바카라 사이트檚 Committee For Foreign Affairs. These talks will foster deeper connections and collaboration between the UK and Vietnam.
Mr Jack will visit a Coats factory in Ho Chi Minh City to hear about their expansion into the Vietnam market. The company, with its roots in Paisley, is the world바카라 사이트檚 leading industrial thread manufacturer.
And he will meet a group of Chevening Scholars to learn about their experiences at UK universities and how they are using that learning back home in Vietnam. The Chevening scheme is the UK government바카라 사이트檚 international scholarships programme, which enables outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue masters degrees in the UK.聽
Latest trade figures show that almost 200 Scottish companies export goods to Vietnam worth 拢83 million a year 바카라 사이트� more than 11 per cent of all UK exports to Vietnam. The three top three export are beverages, fish and scientific instruments. There is huge further potential for Scottish businesses in the country.
Vietnam is a priority market for Scotch. Vietnam is the 24th largest export market by value. In 2022 direct exports were worth 拢73.9 million equivalent to 7.1m bottles, having grown in value by 371 per cent since 2019. Single malts account for 31% of exports. Some 85 per cent of all whisky drunk in Vietnam is Scotch. Under the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the 45 per cent import tariff is being gradually reduced over six years to zero (it is currently 24 per cent). This has been a significant factor in driving exports.
Graeme Littlejohn, Scotch Whisky Association Director of Strategy and Communication, will join the Secretary of State on the visit, said:
바카라 사이트淎s the fastest growing economy in Asia last year, Vietnam is attracting global investment and the opportunities for Scottish exports are clear to see. The growth of Scotch Whisky exports to Vietnam over the past few years is linked to this economic potential, coupled with the reduction in tariffs agreed as part of the UK-Vietnam trade deal, and the importance of premium tourism to the Vietnamese economy.
바카라 사이트淎s the UK바카라 사이트檚 largest food and drink export, Scotch Whisky regularly breaks new ground in emerging markets, showing the way for other Scottish exports. The Secretary of State바카라 사이트檚 visit is welcome reminder of the cachet that Scotland, and Scottish products, have on the world stage.바카라 사이트�
Mr Jack will arrive in Vietnam today [Tuesday 3 October] for a four day visit. He is being supported by the British Embassy in Hanoi and the British Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, part of the UK바카라 사이트檚 extensive global diplomatic network.聽
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