The event was hosted by the Embassy and the Viet Nam Trade Office in Chile, in coordination with the Viet Nam Association for Mechanical Industry (VAMI), the Chile - Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce, Asia Consulting and relevant agencies, attracting more than 80 businesses and organizations from the two countries in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online participation.

The seminar provided a practical forum for agencies, organizations and businesses from both sides to exchange information on the market and import demand, introduce their capabilities and products, seek partners and promote trade connections in the fields of energy equipment, renewable energy, machinery and industrial electrical equipment.

The seminar took place as trade relations between Viet Nam and Chile continue to be promoted through cooperation frameworks such as the Viet Nam-Chile Free Trade Agreement (VCFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), creating favorable conditions for businesses from the two countries to expand markets and diversify supply sources.

Strengthening connections in energy equipment, machinery and industrial electrical equipment will help Vietnamese businesses gain deeper access to the Chilean market, gradually expand exports of industrial products with higher added value and participate in supply chains in South America.

Speaking at the seminar, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to Chile Nguyen Viet Cuong emphasized the significance of strengthening economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, particularly in sectors with strong export growth potential and alignment with the green transition trend.

As part of the program, Ngo Thu Huong, Head of the Trade Office and Commercial Counselor of Viet Nam in Chile, presented an overview of the Chilean market and its import demand for energy equipment and industrial electrical equipment, providing Vietnamese businesses with practical information on market demand, development trends and cooperation opportunities in Chile.

The program also featured online participation by a number of Vietnamese businesses operating in specialized fields, including Dong Anh Electrical Equipment Corporation (EEMC) and Cam Pha Electrical Equipment Company in transformers and substation equipment; LILAMA 69-3 in industrial, energy and mining equipment; VINALIFT in lifting equipment and steel structures; Lisemco 5 in mechanical engineering, ship equipment and steel structures; GG Power Group in energy storage systems; Thipha Cable in electrical cables; Huu Toan Group in generators and backup power solutions; and Hon Gai Mechanical Company (Vinacomin), among others. The businesses introduced their production capabilities, products and solutions, with a view to expanding cooperation and connecting with Chilean partners.

Through market research and business support activities, the Viet Nam Trade Office in Chile has played a bridging role between the business communities of the two countries, helping Vietnamese businesses gain a better understanding of the demand and requirements of the Chilean market, while supporting Chilean businesses in accessing capable suppliers from Viet Nam.

On the Chilean side, business representatives spoke highly of Viet Nam's production capacity and product quality, sharing information on supplier selection criteria, import demand and cooperation orientations. These exchanges helped Vietnamese businesses better understand market requirements and approaches to potential Chilean partners. Also as part of the program, Mauro Tamayo Rozas, Mayor of Cerro Navia district in Santiago, introduced local electricity and solar energy projects and called on Vietnamese businesses to invest.

Immediately following the presentations, an online B2B Matching program was held, facilitating nearly 30 in-depth business meetings in three Zoom rooms between businesses from the two countries, grouped by product categories such as renewable energy, industrial electrical equipment, smart water equipment and backup power solutions, and mining equipment.

Through the B2B meetings, businesses from the two countries held more in-depth discussions on products, supply capacity, import demand and the potential to establish trade relations. This marked an important step toward turning exchanges at the seminar into concrete business connections and potential cooperation outcomes.

With the leverage provided by the VCFTA and CPTPP, amid Chile's efforts to develop renewable energy, pursue the green transition and modernize its industrial infrastructure, the energy equipment and industrial electrical sectors are considered to have significant room for businesses from the two countries to expand cooperation. Vietnamese businesses have considerable opportunities to increase exports, expand their market share and gradually participate more deeply in supply chains in Chile and the South American region.

Given the long geographical distance and high travel costs, organizing targeted online B2B meetings tailored to the needs of individual businesses is a practical solution, enabling businesses from both countries to reduce the costs of accessing the market, narrow the geographical gap and improve the efficiency of partner searches. The model also demonstrates the proactive role of the Viet Nam Trade Office in Chile in shifting from merely providing market information to supporting businesses in directly seeking and approaching suitable partners.

The activity further affirms the role of the Viet Nam Trade Office in Chile in supporting Vietnamese businesses in studying the market, approaching partners and expanding exports. At the same time, the program contributes to promoting trade and investment relations between Viet Nam and Chile in a substantive and effective manner, laying a foundation for long-term business cooperation between the two countries' business communities.