Scottish Secretary 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.
Vietnam has strong business and educational links to Scotland,
and 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the UK and Vietnam
establishing formal diplomatic relations.
Mr Jack will undertake a packed programme in Hanoi and Ho Chi
Minh City, which will include:
-
speaking to leading political figures from the
Vietnamese government;
-
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;
-
visiting textile manufacturer Coats, to hear about their
operations in Vietnam; and
-
meeting students at the British University Vietnam (BUV) and
seeing the signing of a new partnership between the BUV with
Stirling University.
said:
“It is a real honour to promote UK interests in Vietnam –
particularly this year which marks 50 years of the UK’s and
Vietnam’s formal diplomatic relations. I look forward to building
on these strong and important ties with our Vietnamese
friends.
“The UK Government’s 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.”
During his visit to Hanoi, Mr Jack will meet with Vietnam’s
Foreign Minister, Bui Thanh Son, reaffirming the UK’s commitment
to furthering cooperation with Vietnam in a wide range of fields,
including this year’s 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 UK’s recent agreement to join the Comprehensive and
Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). He
will also meet the National
Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss
international relations.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Mr Jack will meet with the City’s political
leadership and the National Assembly’s 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 world’s 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
government’s international scholarships programme, which enables
outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue
masters degrees in the UK.
Latest trade figures show that almost 200 Scottish companies
export goods to Vietnam worth £83 million a year – 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
£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.
, Scotch Whisky
Association Director of Strategy and Communication, will join the
Secretary of State on the visit, said:
“As 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.
“As the UK’s largest food and drink export, Scotch Whisky
regularly breaks new ground in emerging markets, showing the way
for other Scottish exports. The Secretary of State’s visit is
welcome reminder of the cachet that Scotland, and Scottish
products, have on the world stage.”
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
UK’s extensive global diplomatic network.
