(MPI) - At the meeting between the Prime Minister and foreign-invested enterprises on April 22, business associations exchanged views on the impact of the global and domestic economic situation on investment and production activities of enterprises. Opportunities and challenges are also identified to have solutions to remove obstacles and seize investment collaboration in the new situation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung discuss with foreign-invested enterprises. Photo: MPI

Takeo Nakajima, Chief Representative of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Hanoi, said that ample room remains to boost cooperation between Vietnam-Japan in general and Vietnam-JETRO in particular. Japanese enterprises wish the Government of Vietnam have appropriate policies on electricity and new energy systems, including electric and hybrid vehicles. He also looked forward to see more foreign direct investment in Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh and Thai Binh.

Nitin Kapoor, General Director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, Co-Chair of the 2023 Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) hailed the drastic, proactive, creative and flexible management of the Government and the Prime Minister, especially in the context that Vietnam’s economy is heavily affected by the pandemic and risk of world economic recession. Vietnam has ensured stable macro-economy, controlled inflation and quickly adapted to the new digital transformation era.

He raised some proposals on energy issues, taxation, particularly the global minimum to harmonise the interests of investors, pharmaceuticals, real estate market and digital economy. The VBF, FDI investors and private firms are committed to standing side by side with the Government of Vietnam to build a favourable investment climate, towards sustainable economic development.

Hong Sun, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam (Kocham), said the Korean Government and businesses see Viet Nam as their best cooperation partner since the two countries marked 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations. There are about 9,000 RoK businesses investing in Vietnam at present, with two-way trade reaching a record high of 87.7 billion USD in 2022.

Kocham highly valued that the Government of Vietnam is making great efforts to strengthen cooperation and support FDI firms, as well as improving the investment environment. Many Korean businesses operating in Vietnam are considering increasing their capital and making new investments if the business environment remains stable, especially in high technology, finance and energy, he said.

Gabor Fluit, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (EuroCham) highly valued the Government of Vietnam’s efforts in addressing the challenges facing the business association and foreign investors. The European business community in Vietnam is pledged to accompany the Vietnamese Government to build a prosperous and resilient nation, towards sustainable development and green economy, Gabor added.

At the event, representatives of businesses and firms noted some challenges and tapped opportunities to invest and expand investment in a number of prioritised fields, such as green transformation towards resilient development; building production chains and strengthen ties with domestic businesses; improving the business and investment environment to seize new trends; training human resources to meet the needs of digital transformation and innovation. They also affirmed their commitments to accompanying the Vietnamese Government in long-term and sustainable investment./.

Bao Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment