On March 24, VCCI President Ho Sy Hung held a working session with New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam Caroline Beresford, along with a delegation of economic experts.

The meeting focused on exchanging orientations to further promote economic and trade cooperation, aiming toward the target of USD 3 billion in bilateral trade by 2026.

Trade relations between the two countries have maintained positive growth momentum in recent years. Viet Nam is currently New Zealand’s 14th largest trading partner and ranks fifth among ASEAN countries.

In 2025, bilateral trade recorded encouraging signals. Imports from New Zealand to Viet Nam reached over USD 784 million, up nearly 30% year-on-year, while Viet Nam’s exports to New Zealand totaled approximately USD 710.6 million, continuing a steady upward trend.

The trade structure remains complementary, helping to reinforce a sustainable foundation for cooperation. Viet Nam’s key exports to New Zealand include mobile phones, computers, electronic components, seafood, cashew nuts, and footwear. Meanwhile, New Zealand supplies products in which it holds competitive strengths, such as dairy and dairy products, fresh fruits, timber, and raw materials for the textile and footwear industries.

Both sides agreed to further leverage new-generation free trade agreements, including the CPTPP and RCEP, to facilitate market access, reduce costs, and lower trade barriers for businesses. They also discussed expanding cooperation into emerging areas, including high-tech agriculture, the circular economy, environmentally friendly materials production, and sectors supporting the green transition.

On investment, as of mid-2025, New Zealand had 57 valid projects in Viet Nam with total registered capital exceeding USD 208 million. In the opposite direction, Vietnamese enterprises have implemented 12 projects in New Zealand, primarily in processing, services, and agriculture. Two-way investment activities are gradually expanding, contributing to enhanced corporate governance and deeper international integration.

Education and human resource development continue to be identified as key pillars of cooperation. Both sides are promoting training programs and educational linkages to improve workforce quality, in line with the demands of digital transformation and global integration.

In addition, Viet Nam’s hosting of APEC 2027 is expected to create further opportunities to advance economic, trade, and investment cooperation. New Zealand expressed its readiness to collaborate and contribute to joint initiatives, particularly in areas such as green finance and sustainable development.

Both sides expressed confidence that, with a strong foundation of bilateral relations and the continued efforts of governments and business communities, Viet Nam–New Zealand economic cooperation will achieve more substantive and effective progress. The USD 3 billion trade target is not only a matter of scale but also reflects deepening economic integration between the two countries in the years ahead.