A delegation of 12 Vietnamese handicraft enterprises has paid a workingvisit to Norway to promote their products and seek partnerships andexport opportunities.

Headed by Deputy Directorof Hanoi’s Department of Industry and Trade Dao Thu Vinh, thedelegation met with representatives from the Enterprise Federation ofNorway (VIRKE), Oslo Chamber of Commerce and a number of localbusinesses, including Senze of Joy, Northern Gifts AS and Auroraverksted AS in Oslo.

A handicraft exhibition washeld during the March 9-10 visit, featuring various new designs createdthrough collaborative efforts between Vietnam and several NorthernEuropean designers.

Speaking at theexhibition’s opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Norway Le ThiTuyet Mai and VIRKE Director Thomas Angell spoke highly of thecollaboration between Vietnamese and Norwegian businesses in tradepromotion activities.

Hanoi is home to over 1,300 handicraft villages, equivalent to 65 percent of the country’s total villages.

The capital city has been working with the Vietnam HandicraftExporters Association (VIETCRAFT) to draft a business plan focused ondeveloping handicraft designs in coordination with experts and designinstitutes in Northern Europe, the world’s leading centre of creativeindustries.

According to VIETCRAFT Vice PresidentLe Ba Ngoc, handicrafts have become key Vietnamese exports in recentyears. The country shipped abroad 1.7 billion USD worth of handicraftslast year, providing employment to 1.5 million rural workers.-VNA