(VOVworld) – The Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Italian Embassy in Vietnam held a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City Thursday to boost their trading partner relationship. The seminar is part of a 3-million-euro project funded by the Italian government promoting Vietnam’s small and medium-sized enterprises. The 3-year project is focused on three areas – garments and textiles, footwear, and wood interiors – and five industrial zones – Hanoi, Hung Yen, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Binh Duong. The project has increased production and trade for Vietnamese enterprises, and created cooperation with Italian enterprises. Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Lorenzo Angeloni said the project has given many Italian enterprises opportunities to cooperate and invest in Vietnam, which he insisted is the start of a long-term cooperation between the two countries for mutual benefits.