Strengthening and promoting trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland

On June 4, the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland and the Swiss-Vietnam Economic Forum (SVEF) jointly organized the Vietnam-Switzerland Economic Forum 2024, with the cooperation of the Swiss Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a number of Vietnamese ministries and sectors, the People's Committees of several Vietnamese provinces and cities, and investment funds such as Aquis, Bellecapital, Bamboo Group and many Vietnamese and Swiss associations and enterprises.

Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Standing Vice Chairman of Lang Son Provincial People's Committee, spoke online about startup investment. Photo: Anh Hien/VNA

According to VNA correspondent in Geneva, over 200 delegates attended the forum both in person and online. Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang, along with representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Financial Supervisory Commission, the People's Committee of Lang Son province, the delegations of leaders from Can Tho, Cao Bang, Vinh Long cities, and many Vietnamese and Swiss businesses and economic experts participated and spoke at the forum.

In his opening speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland Phung The Long emphasized that the Vietnam - Switzerland Economic Forum 2024 is an opportunity for central and local ministries, associations and businesses of the two countries to share information and exchange policies, seek cooperation opportunities in trade, investment, finance, innovation, research and training to promote the potential and strengths of each country, contributing to promoting the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland in the coming time.

The forum then focused on discussing four topics, including policies to support trade, investment and development cooperation, the role and potential of Vietnam - Switzerland cooperation in key areas, and opportunities and potential for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of finance and startup investment.

The first session was chaired by Dr. Philipp Rösler - former Director of the World Economic Forum, Chairman of SVEF. The participants included Mr. Lu Quang Ngoi, Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Long province; Mr. Pham Van Hieu, Chairman of the People's Council of Can Tho city; Ms. Pham Quynh Mai, Deputy Director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade; Ms. Natalie Rast, Director of the Bilateral Economic Relations Department for Asia and Oceania under the Swiss Ministry of Economic Affairs; and leaders of several mechanical and manufacturing associations in Switzerland, the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce, and the global Swiss business organization. The delegates also discussed policies to support and promote trade and investment relations between Vietnam and Switzerland; sharing about the potential, strengths and cooperation needs, investment attraction policies of Vietnamese provinces and cities, potential benefits from signing the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and EFTA countries with businesses of the two countries, sharing experiences, understanding of the markets and business standards of the two countries.

At the second session, chaired by Mr. Ivo Sieber - former Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam and currently Vice President of SVEF, Mr. Hoang Xuan Anh - Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Luc Schnurrenberger - Deputy Head of International Relations Department of Economiesuisse; Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment; Mr. Pham Hong Quat, Director of Market and Enterprise Development Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology; and representatives of leaders of companies and corporations such as Bamboo Capital, Asian Legal, Fidinam, FPT Software Europe. discussed, exchanged and shared policies and cooperation needs in key areas of investment, innovation, renewable energy for sustainable development, and legal advice in business cooperation between enterprises of the two countries.

At the third session, chaired by Mr. Son Nguyen - CEO of AQUIS Capital investment fund, with the participation and speech of Ms. Nguyen Hai Binh, Director of the Department of Research and Policy Coordination, National Financial Supervisory Commission of Vietnam; Mr. Philip Weights - Chairman of the Swiss Finance & Technology Association; economic experts from Bao Viet Insurance Corporation, SSI Securities Vietnam Company, Edmond de Rothschild Bank, Bellecapital Investment Fund, Finhay Group, the discussion focused on the potential and investment opportunities in the financial sector, financial technology, economic trends affecting financial cooperation and some Government policies to improve the legal framework and financial investment environment in Vietnam.

At the fourth session, with the participation of Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen - Permanent Vice Chairman of Lang Son Provincial People's Committee; Ms. Sibylle Bachmann - Head of Cooperation Department of the Swiss Embassy in Vietnam, representative of the SwissEp Program; Mr. Niraan De Silva - CEO of VNLIFE & Vice President of VNPAY; Mr. Huynh Cong Thang - Co-founder of Innolab Asia; Mr. Bui Do, founding partner and CEO of Thinkzone Venture, Mr. Pham Son - CEO of NTQ Solution JSC, Mr. Kieu Hoang Dat - Deputy General Director of Technology of Exeddo Group, Mr. Daniel Meyer - Co-founder & CEO of EGO Movement. Representatives of businesses and startups introduced innovative products, services and business models, contributions to the economy, growth potential and market expansion. The exchange aims to promote entrepreneurship, networking opportunities, innovation and economic diversification, attract potential investors and partners, and discuss challenges and successes in the startup ecosystem.

In the context of the unpredictable world situation, forecast to continue to witness slow growth, Vietnam's economy has faced challenges and difficulties. However, Vietnam has maintained macroeconomic stability, controlled inflation, ensured major balances of the economy with appropriate policies, strong and drastic actions. In the spirit of "harmonious benefits, shared risks" and the commitment of "3 together" and "3 guarantees" of the Vietnamese Government, policy makers, experts, local leaders and Vietnamese enterprises have actively contributed to the sessions of exchange, discussion, knowledge sharing and proposed measures to promote trade and investment cooperation with Swiss partners in an effective and practical manner.

In recent times, economic, trade and investment relations between Vietnam and Switzerland have been developing positively. Some areas in Vietnam that are assessed by Swiss investment funds to have great potential are export, tourism and information technology services. Vietnam considers Switzerland one of its important partners in Europe and Switzerland also considers Vietnam to be the most dynamic economy in Southeast Asia, a strategic partner in regional economic cooperation. Thanks to its strategic location, stable society, low-cost but highly skilled labor force, and strong global integration, Vietnam has been and continues to be an attractive destination for foreign investors, including Swiss investors.

According to Baotintuc.vn

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