EuroCham supports Vietname to improve competitiveness

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung (right) and EuroCham chairman Alain Cany

Yesterday afternoon (June 23), an EuroCham delegation headed by chairman Alain Cany visited the headquarters of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to discuss cooperation plans in the time to come.

Cany highlighted this as an important time for Vietnam and the EU to boost the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), adding that the agreement would benefit both sides.

European businesses that are working in Vietnam can mobilise more investment from their partners, suppliers, and other European investors into the country, while Vietnamese businesses can approach the European and global market.

The EuroCham chairman highly commended the Vietnamese government for managing the COVID-19 pandemic and believed that Vietnam would remain the leading destination for foreign investors in the time coming.

However, he said that as vaccination in the country has been somewhat slower, EuroCham has been collaborating with the Vietnamese government to secure vaccine sources into the country as soon as possible to support mass vaccination. He hoped that vaccine coverage would improve in Vietnam and fully-vaccinated foreign experts will be subject to minimal isolation procedures upon arrival to Vietnam.

In order to boost investment into Vietnam, EuroCham proposed organising an online conference to connect all European businesses and Vietnam.

Minister Dung said calling for more investment and vaccination are also high on the agenda of the Vietnamese government.

The minister suggested that the EuroCham build an effective action plan by supporting local businesses to improve their capacity and competitiveness so that they can collaborate with European corporations, as well as enhance the quality of human resources.

The MPI proposed EuroCham to remain a bridge and encourage European businesses to come to Vietnam through annual dialogues and discussions with the government. The minister also welcomed the sharing and recommendations of European businesses via EuroCham to consult and propose effective solutions, and breakthrough mechanisms and policies to the government on building a favourable and transparent investment and business environment.