On 15 July 2025, EuroCham Chairman attended the Hai Phong Investment Promotion Conference at the 3rd Meeting – 2025 of the APEC Business Advisory Council – Strategic Gateway to the New Era. Welcoming over 1000 delegates, the conference covered key trade and investment issues in Pacific Asia, with a strong focus on Hai Phong’s establishment of a Free Trade Zone.
The conference was honoured to welcome H.E. Mr. Luong Cuong – Politburo member, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Also in attendance were Mr. Nguyen Duc Hai – Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; leaders of the National Assembly, Central Committees, Ministries and Branches; leaders of Hai Phong city; and Mr. Pham Tan Cong, Chairman of VCCI, Head of ABAC Vietnam Delegation. Ambassadors from leading economies such as the United States, Germany, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, etc. demonstrated strong international support.
In his remarks, President Luong Cuong acknowledged Hai Phong City’s impressive achievement of maintaining double-digit GRDP growth in the past 10 years. He also emphasised that the National Assembly’s issue of Resolution No. 226/2025/QH15 with breakthrough mechanism and policies, especially with the pilot establishment of a Free Trade Zone, has created a “runway” for Hai Phong to take off. The President affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam are committed to creating a stable, transparent, highly predictable investment environment and protecting the legitimate and legal rights and interests of investors, while inviting businesses and investors to Hai Phong for cooperation and development.
Speaking at the conference, EuroCham Chairman acknowledged Hai Phong’s dynamic growth and commended the city’s efforts to create a conducive environment for foreign investors via incentives related to land, high-quality human resource, and attentiveness and timely support from the city governance. He added that to truly become a “strategic gateway to the new era,” Hai Phong must also become a liveable, sustainable city. A holistic approach which addresses not only business innovation but also quality of life and sustainable development is essential.
High-level Meeting with Hai Phong City Leaders
Earlier that day, EuroCham Chairman Bruno Jaspaert joined a high-level closed-door meeting hosted by Chairman of Hai Phong City People’s Committee – Mr. Le Ngoc Chau, alongside Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium – H.E. Mr. Karl Hendrik Margareta Van Den Bossche and Ambassador of Singapore – H.E. Mr. Jaya Ratnam. Leaders of Hai Phong’s key departments were also in attendance.
During the meeting, Chairman Le Ngoc Chau highlighted the city’s strong socio-economic performance and investment potential, particularly after its recent merger with Hai Duong province. Highlighting Hai Phong’s stable 10% GDPR growth, he applauded EuroCham’s valuable contribution to this achievement. Chairman Le Ngoc Chau also reaffirmed Hai Phong’s commitment to creating a favourable business environment and proactively resolving investor challenges.
Representing the European business community, Mr. Jaspaert expressed EuroCham’s desire to strengthen cooperation with Hai Phong in this new phase of development. He proposed organising a dedicated European business delegation to visit and engage with Hai Phong’s leadership in the near future.
EuroCham stands committed to support Vietnam’s and Hai Phong’s rise as a strategic gateway to the region and sustainable development journey through our tireless advocacy works.
