The Vietnamese Government is committed to listening to recommendations from businesses and addressing their concerns whenever possible.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the meeting. Photos: Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the view in a meeting with European ambassadors and companies to discuss the current difficult situation due to the pandemic on September 9, which followed a series of meetings between the Government leader and foreign businesses.

Prime Minister Chinh highly regarded the substantial contribution of the EU delegation, embassies, and business community in Vietnam, to the Vietnam-EU relations, especially in economy, trade, and investment.

Chinh also thanked EU member countries for pledging to donate over 10 million doses of vaccines and medical equipment for Vietnam.

“Vietnam is willing to create favorable conditions for EU businesses and be partners in their quest for success in the country,” Chinh said while calling for EU members to support Vietnamese companies investing in fields of high demand in European countries.

“This would gradually ensure balanced and long-term relations for mutual benefits in trade and investment,” he continued.

Chinh also shared the difficulties that businesses in Vietnam are facing amid the serious Covid-19 outbreak, stressing the success of foreign companies here is the success of Vietnam, and their losses are also the country’s.

The prime minister stressed his point that the current difficulties are only temporary, as the Government has been putting in place measures to contain the pandemic.

The prime minister and EU delegates.

Chinh mentioned his recent decision to set up a task force specialized in resolving concerns of businesses and the issuance of resolution No.105 on September 9 providing more support to companies, cooperatives, and business households amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chinh added the resolution is expected to help localities and businesses stay active in adopting prevention measures and soon resume operation.

“Maintaining smooth operation, supply chains, and movement of goods are a key task alongside efforts to fight the pandemic,” Chinh said, expecting more efforts to boost the development of the pharmaceutical industry in the coming time, along with enhanced health capability against future diseases.

In this regard, Chinh requested localities to actively simplify administrative procedures and refrain from issuing additional requirements that could affect the current supply chains.

Regarding the vaccination program, the prime minister reiterated the Government’s stance of administering vaccines free of charge for the people, with priority given to workers in industrial parks and those working in supply chains of businesses, including those from the EU.

Chinh called for European ambassadors and businesses to continue supporting Vietnam-EU relations to reach a new height, including the soon ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), vaccine supply, and transfer of technology production for Vietnam.

Overview of the meeting. Source: EuroCham

Significant opportunities for EU-Vietnam economic cooperation

At the meeting, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) Alain Cany expressed his appreciation for Vietnam’s efforts to protect health and promote economic growth at the same time.

“In the spirit of our long cooperation and strong friendship, EuroCham is doing whatever we can to support Vietnam in achieving these twin goals,” Cany said.

Cany mentioned the ‘Breath Again’ fundraising and medical donation campaign which has now secured over EUR1 million to purchase essential equipment such as ventilators and monitors for hospitals and front-line healthcare workers, expecting that the fund will raise more contributions over the coming weeks from donors in Vietnam and the EU.

While the pandemic is posing huge challenges for Vietnam in short term, Cany noted once the Covid-19 is put under control, there would be significant opportunities to increase EU-Vietnam trade and investment thanks to the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

“In the first 12 months of its implementation – and even in the midst of a global pandemic – bilateral trade has increased. Vietnamese exporters, in particular, have earned significant benefits,” he said.

“Over the course of the next decade, we can unlock a new wave of FDI if Vietnam continues its recent record of reform. Vietnam is now a more open, more competitive, and more attractive investment destination thanks to three decades of liberalization,” Cany asserted.

European Ambassadors and businesses expressed their thanks for the Government’s support and accompany the business community during this difficult period.

With the positive economic prospects, they suggested the country remains an attractive investment destination and suggested European businesses expect to commit long-term business in the country.