Promoting Vietnam - Sweden strategic cooperation in green transformation, digital and sustainable development

Vietnam – Sweden: Strong friendship, practical cooperation

At the reception for Minister Benjamin Dousa, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the profound milestones in the relationship between the two countries – from the years when Sweden was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, to the provision of more than 3 billion USD in non-refundable aid, helping to build many iconic medical and industrial projects such as Bai Bang Paper Mill, National Children's Hospital, or Uong Bi Hospital.

The Prime Minister emphasized that in the context of global trade fluctuations, Vietnam and Sweden need to strengthen cooperation in many strategic areas such as green transformation, digital transformation, science and technology,education , health, especially in key infrastructure investment such as seaports, airports, railways and renewable energy.

The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam is ready to be a gateway for Swedish goods to enter the ASEAN market, and hopes that Sweden will become a bridge for Vietnamese goods to enter the Northern European market - a place with a high standard of living, strict sustainability standards and an increasing demand for green, organic and responsible products.

Green and digital transformation: New pillars of cooperation between two pioneering economies

Speaking at the Vietnam-Sweden Investment Dialogue on Infrastructure and Green Transformation, Minister Dousa emphasized: “Vietnam is not only a place for production, but is increasingly becoming a place for research and development.” He said that this opens a new era of cooperation, beyond pure trade, towards co-creation and co-innovation between businesses of the two countries.

Green transition and circular economy were a particular focus of the visit. Minister Dousa appreciated the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to carbon neutrality, and said Sweden was ready to share advanced solutions in the fields of renewable energy, sustainable packaging, wastewater treatment and recycling, as well as promote cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and smart digital infrastructure.

With impressive GDP growth, a pool of highly skilled young engineers, and an economy moving up the value chain, Vietnam is being viewed by the Swedish business community as one of the most potential investment destinations in Asia.

There are currently about 70 Swedish businesses operating in Vietnam, including big names such as Ericsson, ABB, AstraZeneca, Tetra Pak, Getinge... Minister Dousa expressed his wish that this number would double in the coming years, especially in the fields of digital health, life sciences, industrial equipment, smart transportation and innovation.

“I work day and night to bring more Swedish businesses to Vietnam,” he told reporters, stressing: “Free trade and openness are the key to innovation and sustainable development.”

Committed to supporting the promotion of EVIPA and removing the IUU yellow card

During his meetings with senior Vietnamese leaders, Minister Dousa pledged to urge EU member states to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to create a solid legal framework for long-term investment flows between the two sides. He also affirmed that he would coordinate with relevant agencies of the European Commission to promote the removal of the “IUU yellow card” for Vietnam’s seafood exports, helping the Vietnamese seafood industry to soon restore its ability to access the EU market – one of Vietnam’s key and most sustainable export markets.

Strengthening medical cooperation and innovation

During the visit, Minister Dousa visited the National Children’s Hospital, met with hospital leaders and discussed cooperation initiatives in the fields of child health care, digital health, diagnostic technology and medical research. He also delivered an opening speech at the Vietnam-Sweden Health Cooperation Conference, which was attended by prominent companies in the life sciences and medical devices sectors, such as AstraZeneca, Elekta, Getinge, and Mölnlycke.

Closing - Opening: A New Chapter of Cooperation Between Two Pioneering Countries

Minister Benjamin Dousa's visit to Vietnam not only marks the continuation of the long-standing friendship, but also opens a period of more substantive, extensive and strategic cooperation, especially in the context of both countries moving towards green, equitable and sustainable development goals.

Within this shared vision, Vietnam can become a central partner in the expansion strategy of Swedish businesses in Asia, while Sweden continues to be a source of inspiration for innovation, technology and a development model that harmonizes growth and social responsibility.

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Source: Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden, concurrently in Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Latvia

Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/thi-truong-nuoc-ngoai/thuc-day-hop-tac-chien-luoc-viet-nam-thuy-dien-trong-chuyen-doi-xanh-so-va-phat-trien-ben-vung.html