A group of 11 Norwegian companies presents a wealth of expertise, technologies, and solutions at the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition 2022 (GEFE2022) hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.

Norwegian Deputy Head of Mission Mette Møglestue; Regional Director Asia & Middle East at Innovation Norway Ole Henæs, and Director of Innovation Norway in Hanoi, Commercial Counsellor Arne-Kjetil Lian, and representatives of Norwegian companies at the exhibition taking place on Nov 28-30 in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Embassy of Norway in Hanoi

The companies, namely Equinor, Norsk Solar, Scatec, Empower, TerraMarine, Tomra, Jotun, Vard, Yara, Emarasia, and Visco get together in one Norwegian Pavilion at the event that takes place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on November 28-30.

The leading Norwegian firms help promote a sustainable green economy in Vietnam across a spectrum of areas from renewable energy to circular economy, including effective plastic waste management, green manufacturing, green shipping, smart aquaculture, and consultancy and supporting services. 

On the first day of the event, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the Norwegian pavilion, which highlights the presence of Norwegian Deputy Head of Mission Mette Møglestue; Regional Director Asia & Middle East at Innovation Norway Ole Henæs, and Director of Innovation Norway in Hanoi, Commercial Counsellor Arne-Kjetil Lian.

Norwegian Deputy Head of Mission Mette Møglestue said he commends the creative initiative of Euro Cham to organize GEFE2022. “As a part of Europe, we are happy to be part of this. Green growth has become dispensable in today’s world. To reach that target, it is impossible not to involve businesses, industries, and social partners, for they play a crucial role in the transition towards a renewable, circular, and sustainable future,” he noted.

Together with 11 Norwegian companies in the Pavilion, the Norwegian Embassy and Innovation Norway in Hanoi wants to show their readiness and interest to support the Government of Vietnam in its green growth efforts as well as the implementation of the net-zero target by 2050 that PM Pham Minh Chinh announced at COP26 Glasgow in 2021 and confirmed in the updated National Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted at COP27 in Cairo.

Bring top-notch technologies to Vietnam

Most Norwegian companies in the Norwegian Pavilion have been active in Vietnam, while others are exploring opportunities for investment and doing business here.

Commercial Counsellor, Director of Innovation Norway Vietnam, Arne-Kjetil Lian said: “Our Norwegian companies have brought to GEFE 2022 their top-notch technologies, smart solutions, new initiatives, and extensive experience to help develop renewable energy, reduce CO2 emissions, and promote a circular economy and a sustainable value chain.”

He added that through their advanced technologies, smart solutions, and circular and sustainable business models, the private sector would contribute and help reduce CO2 emissions and promote green production and consumption practices.

“They all share a strong interest and goodwill to work with local authorities and business partners in various industries to push this agenda forward. Innovation Norway in Hanoi is ready to do our part as a bridge to connect Norwegian and Vietnamese companies,” stressed Arne-Kjetil Lian.

On this occasion, Mette Møglestue stressed the importance of the public-private partnership (PPP), saying it’s an effective solution for governments all over the globe to mobile resources and participation from all stakeholders for policy development and implementation, including those on the green economy.

Meanwhile, Ole Henæs, Regional Director for Asia, Innovation Norway, stated: “Vietnam has seen the fastest growth in Southeast Asia for the last two years  and thus has a good momentum to progress.”

For that reason, the green economy offers abundant opportunities for countries in the region, including Vietnam, to attract greener capital influx and intensify business cooperation.

To make the goals possible, Vietnam needs to take comprehensive actions to implement its green agenda, particularly in the context of the country’s ambitious environmental commitments under the Paris Agreement and at COP 26, and recently strengthened at COP27 in Cairo, Ole Henæs emphasized.

In addition, he highlighted the role of the private sector in this process, noting that they are an important force in the industry.

Speaking with investors and participants at the GEFE2022, PM Chinh expected that European firms would promote connection to pour money into Vietnam and expand their investment portfolio on a win-win basis.

Chinh shared the ideas on November 28 with executives of big companies, namely Equinor, CIP, Mainstream, Vestas, Airbus, HSBC, Suez, Siemens Gamesa, Schneider, among others.

The PM reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitments to net-zero goals by 2050 and reiterated the role of foreign investors, especially European ones who master technologies and have capital potential, in investing in a green economy in the country which is among the five hardest hit nations by climate change.