Hanoi (VNA), Feb. 20 -- The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement ( EVFTA ) will create opportunities for Japanese companies to continue expanding operations in Vietnam and boost exports to the EU , according to chief representative of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Hanoi Takeo Nakajima.

In a recent interview granted to the Cong Thuong (Industry & Trade) newspaper, the official said exports to the EU currently account for only 2.8 percent of overseas shipments by Japanese businesses in Vietnam, and another 65 percent are destined for the Japanese and ASEAN markets.

Therefore, when the EVFTA, recently ratified by the European Parliament, takes effect, it will create a big push for Japanese firms in Vietnam as tariffs on almos...