Austria opens Consulate General in HCM City

Dr. Dao Ha Trung, General Director of the Waz Group in Vietnam, has been appointed Austria’s Honourary Consul.

The Austrian Ambassador to Vietnam, Johannes Peterlik, stated that the office will facilitate Austrian citizens in HCM City and help strengthen trade ties as well as promoting cooperation in investment, culture and education between the two countries.

Diplomatic ties between the two countries have been actively developed since they were first officially established in 1972.

The Austrian Government assists Vietnam in many ways with projects in education, training of doctors and supplying ships’ engines.

The country also provides Vietnam with official development assistance (ODA) in healthcare, education and transport, and has awarded many scholarships to Vietnamese students.

Bilateral trade turnover increased from nearly 100 million EUR in 2007 to 360 million EUR in 2008, the highest in 36 years.

Austrian businesses are also involved in 10 major projects valued at 7 million EUR. A number of other projects worth about 200 million EUR are currently waiting to be licenced./.