ANZBC President: Do business in Vietnam

Chairwoman of the ASEAN-New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC) Kathleen Morrison called on New Zealand businesses to do business in Vietnam, as she moderated a discussion between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and nearly 20 leading New Zealand and international businesses.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 11 - Photo: NHAT BAC

Ms. Morrison said that the presence of the Prime Minister and many ministers showed the respect and created motivation for New Zealand businesses to come to Vietnam. Ms. Morrison gave an interview to Tuoi Tre on the sidelines of the discussion.

* At the discussion on March 11, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will create favorable conditions for foreign investors and pointed out areas where New Zealand wants specific projects in Vietnam, such as green economy, digital economy, high-tech agriculture, etc. What is your assessment of this? - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's message is very clear. He is particularly interested in finding better trade connections between New Zealand and Vietnamese companies. The large presence of the delegation led by the Prime Minister is a signal to New Zealand businesses that we should respond to the call from Vietnam because you are very serious about exploring the potential in bilateral trade. Vietnam has a growing middle class, a large population, and both bring many benefits to New Zealand companies. Both of our countries have many industries that can complement each other closely. It was great for New Zealand businesses to be able to speak directly to the Prime Minister and Vietnamese ministers today, as well as meet face-to-face with other businesses about current and future opportunities. The discussion created excitement and energy to pursue those opportunities. * So what are ANZBC's priorities for Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asia in general after the Prime Minister's visit, Madam? - We have identified ASEAN, including Vietnam, as a very strategic and very good trading partner for New Zealand businesses to explore. Last year, the New Zealand Government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade paid special attention to this region, mainly due to climate change considerations. In such a context, it makes sense to have a trading partner that is geographically closer and Southeast Asia and Vietnam are a destination with a lot of untapped potential. We are doing some business with Vietnam and Southeast Asia. But there is certainly more we can do and should do. The world is looking to New Zealand for more green technology and it is only to our advantage that we trade with our close trading partners, because green technology will be used in green ways.

I know Southeast Asia is currently focusing on the green economy and the circular economy. Vietnam is the same, so the opportunity for technology transfer is there and very potential. * So what about connecting and spreading information for Vietnamese - New Zealand businesses, Madam? - What we do the most is to organize seminars regularly to better understand the Vietnamese market, share mutual understanding of this country among participants. Of course, if there are any Vietnamese companies that want to come to New Zealand and seek investment opportunities, we welcome their proposals. Many members of ANZBC are Vietnamese and they are eager to connect with Vietnamese businesses that want to enter New Zealand. Whatever can be done, we will do it all. * And will there be a New Zealand business delegation organized by ANZBC to Vietnam after this visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh? - We are looking forward to it and are planning it, but initially we will only focus on New Zealand dairy companies. But I know many companies in New Zealand are also looking forward to having such a delegation. They want to learn about the Vietnamese market and hear about different industries. The business activities of these companies are in areas that Vietnam is prioritizing. We are only in the planning stage at the moment, but it is definitely on our to-do list. * What message do you have for New Zealand businesses after the discussion with the Prime Minister and many ministers? - My message is that Vietnam is very open and wants to trade with New Zealand. We will complement each other in many areas, develop together and bring benefits to the country. Don't hesitate. Pick up the phone and call the Vietnam trade office if needed to connect with them and do business!

Prime Minister concludes visit to New Zealand

Late on March 11 (local time), after a day filled with activities from early morning to late evening, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, boarded a special plane to Hanoi, successfully concluding his first official visit to New Zealand in his new position. Earlier on March 11, the Prime Minister attended an official welcoming ceremony held in a solemn manner imbued with the indigenous national identity. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon then entered into talks that the Vietnamese leader affirmed to the press were "very special, very successful". On this occasion, ministries of the two countries signed three cooperation documents in the fields of education, economics - trade and finance. Also on March 11, the head of the Government also met with the Governor-General of New Zealand and the Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, received a friendship meeting and delivered a policy speech at the country's leading prestigious Victoria University.

Tuoitre.vn

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