Deputy PM: Vietnam considers foreign firms part of its economy

Vietnam has always and will continue to consider foreign-invested enterprises as part of its economy, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue told head of SME Business Switzerland at Credit Suisse Andreas Gerber during a reception in Hanoi on November 5.

At the event (Photo:VGP)
At the event (Photo:VGP)

Deputy PM Hue said the Vietnamese Government will provide all possible support to domestic and foreign enterprises in their operations.

Last year, Vietnam attracted nearly US$36 billion in foreign direct investment. The figure topped US$ 28 billion in the first ten months of this year, which is expected to reach the equivalent of 2017’s impressive figure, he said.

He noted that Vietnam is gearing towards quality, eco-friendly projects, not only those by multinational corporations, but also small- and medium-sized enterprises that make good use of modern technology.

According to him, the Vietnamese Government gives priority to attracting investment in public-private partnerships in transportation and socio-economic infrastructure, as well as the manufacturing and support industry using modern technology such as electricity, semi-conductors, automobiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, high-tech agriculture, logistics, information technology and communications, and renewable energy.

The Government also prioritises investment in finance-banking; encourages mergers and acquisitions in the field; and pushes for the involvement of foreign firms in the equitisation of State-owned enterprises, as well as in other ventures and startups.

Lauding Swiss firms for their scientific and technological capabilities, as well as their experience in joining the global supply chain, the Deputy PM said the Government encourages Swiss businesses to invest in Vietnam.

Gerber, for his part, said that this is the fifth time the delegation has sought business opportunities in Vietnam, mostly in northern localities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Ninh Binh.

The delegation is comprised of the largest number of corporate representatives so far, all working in glass production, nano and medical technology, artificial intelligence, application software, media, banking, and education and medical infrastructure.

He said the delegation is looking to transfer technologies to Vietnam.

Switzerland now ranks 18th out of the 126 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.