European businesses join Vietnamese Government in administrative reforms

The Prime Minister’s Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham Vietnam) held a dialogue in Hanoi on June 30 to discuss administrative reforms ahead of the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) coming into effect.

General view of the dialogue. (Photo: Hanoimoi)
General view of the dialogue. (Photo: Hanoimoi)

The event was co-chaired by Mai Tien Dung, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office and chairman of the council, and Nicolas Audier, Chairman at EuroCham Vietnam.

Under the theme “Administrative Reforms: Key Role in the Implementation of EVFTA”, the dialogue brought together representatives from Vietnam’s ministries and sectors and the European business community and diplomatic missions in the country to discuss administrative reform plans to unlock the full potential of the EVFTA, scheduled to take effect from August 1.

The dialogue contents focused on a number of priority issues, including regulations on the EVFTA; a consistent and predictable legal framework for investment activities; the requirement of labeling imported goods; registration certificates for food safety inspection; e-commerce; the registration process of bactericidal products to serve COVID-19 prevention and control; and the management of e-commerce platforms.

The dialogue was held in conjunction with the launch of the 12th edition of EuroCham Viet Nam’s Whitebook, which summarises the important issues for the business activities of 17 sector committees under EuroCham, together with recommendations that the Vietnamese Government can implement to improve the domestic business environment and enhance trade and investment with the EU.

Speaking at the event, Nicolas Audier, Chairman at EuroCham Vietnam, said what’s important at present is that the business community and the Government work closely to ensure the smooth and successful implementation of the EVFTA. One of the leading factors is to continue promoting positive progress in administrative reform, streamlining business conditions, improving the investment environment and modernising the legal framework.

EuroCham shares the Vietnamese Government’s goals on foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, Audier said, stating that Vietnam now has a golden opportunity to take advantage of the EVFTA and attract FDI from European companies, who are seeking open, competitive and friendly markets.

He voiced his belief that if the recommendations in the 12th edition of the Whitebook are thoroughly considered by the Government, more and more European businesses will invest in the country in the future.

According to Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung, this was the third time since 2018 that the Prime Ministers’ Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform held a dialogue with the European business community in Vietnam. The official hailed the dialogue as being of great significance towards the implementation of the EVFTA.

Dung highly lauded the 2020 EuroCham Whitebook’s theme focusing on administrative procedure reform, stating that the content of the book practically reflects the sincere wishes of the European business community to improve the investment environment in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Government has vigorously implemented reforms of and cuts to administrative procedures in various areas over recent times, he said, affirming his wish to listen to proposals and suggestions from European businesses in order to promote bilateral cooperation in a more extensive and effective manner in the near future.