September 8th, 2015 – The Emilia-Romagna Region is already getting ready for its mission to Vietnam, together with its industry and universities. The mission was announced by the Region’s President Stefano Bonaccini, during a meeting in Bologna with a delegation led by the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Dang Huy Dong. “There is complete harmony and a common interest in strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in those strategic sectors where Emilia-Romagna is strong, and has the knowledge and skills to excel – said Bonaccini – We are working on a program of medium and long term projects and on a protocol involving small and medium-sized enterprises, research centers and universities. Vietnam is important because it counts over 90 million inhabitants, a 6.5% growth per year, and it’s a gateway to South-East Asia and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). ASEAN represents another 600 million potential consumers, thanks to its new commercial relations with China and Japan.”