This product is imported directly from Vietnam by South Export Alliance - a Belgian start-up company – for distribution in Belgium, France and the Czech Republic.
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François Colonval wishes to continue to develop his South Export Alliance company specialising in Vietnamese products.
At a bonded warehouse in the province of Louvière, François Colonval, Director of South Export Alliance Company, has just completed customs procedures for a new shipment imported from Vietnam and is preparing for distribution to customers. This is Cocoxim canned fresh and pure coconut water product of Betrimex company which Mr. Colonval has been importing for six years to supply to restaurants, Asian stores and supermarkets in Belgium.
François Colonval said he discovered Vietnam by chance in 2013. After graduating from university, his Vietnamese classmate invited him to his friend's hometown to play and stay in a homestay. It was an interesting experience for the young Belgian man.
Living in a homestay, François discovered many interesting things about the customs and habits of the people here. The country and people of Vietnam quickly conquered the heart of François. He continued to choose Vietnam for his following trips.
During an internship at a Belgian company located in Ho Chi Minh City, François had the opportunity to learn more about life in Vietnam. The more he understood, the more he grew to love this country. He became acquainted with the business culture of Asian people.
François introduces a recipe using ingredients from Cocoxim coconut water on Cocoxim Belgium's fanpage.
On his trips to Ben Tre, the coconut capital of Vietnam, he enjoyed Cocoxim coconut water. The fresh, cool, nutritious drink from Ben Tre coconuts made the young man extremely surprised and excited. François was completely convinced by the taste of Cocoxim coconut water and the professionalism in the production process of this beverage from Betrimex Company. He became determined to import Cocoxim canned fresh and pure coconut water products to sell in Belgium.
Established the South Export Alliance company in 2016, François took over all positions. With the desire for customers in Belgium to enjoy a delicious coconut drink, François alone looked for customers from Vietnamese and Asian restaurants to introduce the product to. Initially, he only imported a few pallets of Cocoxim coconut water. But the product was quickly well received and consumed by customers, especially during the summer.
Up to now, every few months, the South Export Alliance company imports a container of 25 tonnes of products from Betrimex. François’ company became the exclusive distributor of Cocoxim coconut water for all Asian restaurants and some supermarkets in Belgium, while selling wholesale to France and the Czech Republic.
Since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) officially came into operation with preferential tax rates for Vietnamese agricultural products imported into the EU market, the South Export Alliance company has suitable conditions to expand business opportunities in importing goods from Vietnam. In addition to Cocoxim coconut water, François also imports other products such as rice paper, and dried rice noodles.
He has many advantages when looking for partners in Vietnam to import goods with incentives from EVFTA.
Currently, François is working with leading Belgian customers to import other Vietnamese food and beverage products such as Hanoi beer and Saigon beer because he wants Belgian customers to enjoy the varieties of beer with the Vietnamese taste even though Belgium is the kingdom of beer.
With a love for Vietnam and its diverse agricultural products, François Colonval wishes to continue to develop his South Export Alliance company specialising in Vietnamese products. In addition, he will also act as a bridge to bring the quintessence of Belgian cuisine to the Vietnamese people.
