Brussels (VNA) – The Vietnamese Government is making concertedefforts to improve business climate for both domestic and foreign enterprises,including those from the Europe, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said onOctober 17.

Attending the Vietnam-EU-Belgium Business Forum jointly held by the VietnamChamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Belgian Vietnamese Alliance, embassiesand trade offices of Vietnam and Belgium, PM Phuc said that the Governmentpledges favourable conditions to connect enterprises from both sides for thebenefits of the firms and the people.

Two-way trade has increased tenfolds in nearly a decade, he noted, adding thatit is likely to rise to 53 billion USD this year.

Laying stress on the Europe-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) which isexpected to open the door for the enterprises to capitalize on theircooperation potential when it takes effect, PM Phuc hoped that the Europeanbusiness association, especially Belgian firms, will raise their voice to pushthe signing of the deal.

Vietnam will serve as a bridge for European enterprises to break into ASEANmarket toward a free and fair trade, he said, underlining Vietnam’s advantages forBelgian investments like stable socio-political and macro-economic conditions,and well-developed port systems.

Together with the imminent signing of the EVFTA, Vietnam has participated in 15new-generation free trade agreements, which means that if Belgian firms enterVietnam, they will get into a global market, he underlined.

At the forum, PM Phuc and officials of both nations witnessed the signing ofseveral cooperation documents between the VCCI and Belgian Vietnamese Alliance,Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group and European mobile network businesscentre, and Vietnam Project company and Sarens Group.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Belgium – VietnamFriendship Alliance Andries Gryffoy said Belgian firms are interested inseeking opportunities in health care, real estate, green energy, food,beverages, seaport infrastructure and other fields in Vietnam, adding that theyare promising investors. 

He said Belgium boasts a business-friendlygovernment, dynamic research environment, and education system up tointernational standards and high labour productivity. 

Lying in the heart of the EU with a populationof 420 million and modern infrastructure, Belgium focuses on industries such asaerospace, chemicals, energy, waste and wastewater treatment, artificialintelligence and 4.0 technology, which are potential fields for partnershipwith Vietnamese firms, he said. 

The same day, PM Phuc had workingsessions with representatives from EU and Belgian leading firms operating inVietnam, during which they informed the Vietnamese leader on outcomes andinvestment and business plans in the Southeast Asian nation in such fields asoil and gas, renewable energy, agriculture, fertiliser and insecticideproduction, seaport infrastructure, rubber, and tire production. They also maderecommendations on how to accelerate cooperation between the businesscommunities of Vietnam and the EU, as well as between those of Vietnam andBelgium in particular.

Earlier, on October 16, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received leaders ofSolveigh and Nijhuis – the Dutch businesses with experience in anti-erosion,water exploitation and use and carrying out a climate change adaptation projectin central Vietnam.

The PM hailed Solveigh and Nijhuis as well as other Dutch partners inconducting surveys, research and working solutions to minimise coastal erosionin Vietnam. He described their work as a specific action to implementcooperation programmes within the framework of the strategic partnership onadaptation to climate change and water management between Vietnam and theNetherlands.

Menno Holterman, Managing Director of Nijhuis, said the project’s partnersinspected erosion in Hoi An and agreed to carry out another project to addresschallenges in the area. It aims to improve safety and livelihood for locals,and protect and restore Hoi An coast, while forming new eco-system touristsites there. Investment for this will be arranged by European and Dutchorganisations and businesses and Vietnam’s T&T group.

Representatives of the two Dutch groups expressed their wish to continuereceiving attention and facilitation from the Prime Minister and relevantagencies of Vietnam during the project’s implementation.

Welcoming proposals of Dutch organisations and businesses, PM Phuc said theVietnamese Government hopes for experience sharing and support on humanresources and technology from the Dutch partners to solve urgent issues inVietnam, especially coastal and riverbank erosion and subsidence, climatechange response, and help local people’s sustainable socio-economicdevelopment.

The PM suggested Dutch and Vietnamese partners coordinate with the People’sCommittee of Quang Nam province to accelerate the study and survey to have anoptimal plan.

The two Dutch groups, T&T group and other partners were asked to work withVietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Quang Namauthorities to reach an implementation plan.-VNA