(KPL/VNA) A virtual seminar has set the stage for business-to-business (B2B) networking between Vietnamese firms and a delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) ahead of the 35th Vietnam International Trade Fair (Vietnam Expo 2026), which is scheduled to take place on April 8–11 at the Vietnam Exposition Centre in Hanoi.

The April 1 event, organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in India, aimed to prepare information exchange and matchmaking programmes as Indian businesses plan to attend one of Vietnam’s largest annual trade promotion events.

Addressing the opening session, Trade Counsellor of Vietnam in India Bui Trung Thuong highlighted the steady growth of bilateral economic relations, noting that two-way trade reached approximately 16.5 billion USD last year. However, he stressed that the figure remains modest compared to the substantial potential of the two economies, which are highly complementary in structure.

He said the seminar plays an important role in information sharing, identifying priority sectors for cooperation, and laying the foundation for face-to-face meetings during Vietnam Expo 2026.

According to a representative of the CII, a delegation from the confederation will visit Vietnam from April 7 to 10 to participate in the expo and engage in multi-sector B2B networking sessions. Priority areas of interest include infrastructure, energy, technology, agriculture, logistics, and processing. Through these activities, businesses from the two countries are expected to explore investment opportunities and expand market access.

Representatives of Vietnamese trade promotion agencies provided updates on Vietnam’s investment climate and introduced proposed support measures to facilitate more effective business matching tailored to the demands of Indian companies during Vietnam Expo 2026.

Delegates emphasised the importance of closer coordination among intermediary organisations to optimise working schedules, avoid overlap, and improve the overall efficiency of networking activities. Several suggestions were put forward, including the organisation of a business forum, sector-specific matchmaking sessions, and field visits.

The seminar was regarded as an important preparatory step, contributing to a more effective and result-oriented set of activities at Vietnam Expo 2026, towards promoting economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and India in the time to come.

KPL