EuroCham Launched its Northeastern Vietnam Chapter with Business and Public Officials in Hai Phong

On 5th October 2017, in Hai Phong – the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) organised a “Northeastern Vietnam Focus Day” and launched its “Northeastern Vietnam Chapter”. After the Central Vietnam Chapter was launched in November 2016, this is the second regional representation of the chamber. 

The agenda included joining the ground breaking ceremony of Deep C Industrial Zones, a tour of the new industrial facilities around the Hai Phong, namely Lach Huyen port and Tan Vu bridge, and a working lunch where business leaders, local authorities and European diplomatic representatives discussed the potential of the Northeastern region as a prime investment destination in Vietnam.  The Northeastern Vietnam Focus Day was dedicated to informing about the economic and business opportunities of the provinces in the region, including Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Hung Yen and Quang Ninh.

The EuroCham delegation walks to the ground breaking ceremony of the new premises of the Deep C Industrial Zone

Experts and officials covered cross-cutting business topics from a site-specific perspective, including investment practices, tax incentives, local talent management, real estate development, new infrastructure, among other. It was a one-time opportunity to hear from experts and Government in regards to the current state of Hai Phong and Northeastern Vietnam’s business potential. 

The region as presented here is well-positioned to become the next top business, trade, and investment destination in Vietnam and EuroCham has taken a decisive step to ensure that present and prospective members doing business in the Northeastern region are well supported.

To this end, Dr. Gellért Horváth – Vice Chairman of EuroCham – opened the event and officially launched EuroCham’s Northeastern Vietnam Chapter. Three EuroCham delegates will carry out the organisation’s action on the ground, aiming to bring further dynamics in the contact between the local business communities, as well as supporting around 40 EuroCham members in the region, including large investors such as Apollo, Ariston Thermo, DB Schenker, Deep C Industrial Zones, Gentherm, Knauf, Mascot, Messer and many more.

Vice Chair Gellert Horvath opened the business luncheon and officially launched EuroCham's Northeastern Chapter

The EU Ambassador to Vietnam H.E. Bruno Angelet was present at this event and strongly supported the creation of this second EuroCham Chapter outside Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, highlighting the importance of European business to be active in strategic high potential regions in Vietnam. Mr Angelet underlined the significant role EuroCham could play in attracting high quality investment from the EU in the framework of the opportunities of the upcoming EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

The speakerships also included Ms. Diem Hang, Hanoi Branch Manager of DB Schenker, who focused on logistics and transport development, a key sector for the Northeastern region. Mr. Hans Kerstens, International Business Development Manager of the hosting organisation Deep C Industrial zones, focused on the central role that its industrial park has in Hai Phong and how the sustainable expansion of the seaport can boost Vietnam’s trade as a whole. 

Over 70 attendees were present at the EuroCham Northeastern Vietnam Focus Day and its several activities

At this Northeastern Vietnam Focus Day, EuroCham launched its second representation outside of HCMC and Hanoi after 18 years of existence. The EuroCham Northeastern Vietnam Chapter is set to empower the local business community, offering a yearly locally-focused agenda of business events, advocacy support and networking opportunities. The Northeastern Vietnam Focus Day, took place at AVANI Hai Phong Harbour View Hotel, and gathered over 50 participants from diverse fields, including business professionals, government officials, diplomats and media. The event was sponsored by Deep C Industrial zones and DB Schenker.

Dr. Gellért Horváth, Vice Chairman, EuroCham highlighted: “As EuroCham Vice Chairman, I am very happy to open this EuroCham Chapter covering the Northeastern region and putting today’s event forth for the first time. The local businesses and authorities of Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Hung Yen and Quang Ninh responded well and appeared in good numbers, showing that we were right: the local business dynamics are increasing and there is a need for platforms to bring the business community together, namely European business. I am proud that EuroCham is now present in the Northeastern region and closer to its members, hoping that new partnerships and new dynamics will be formed with our chambers presence here.” 

Mr. Hans Kerstens, Head of international sales DEEP C Industrial zones said: “Over the last years, massive efforts have been taking to create best-in-class infrastructure in North Vietnam. The development of a new deep sea port in Haiphong in combination with an extensive highway network connection the port with the hinterland has created massive opportunities for companies that want to do business in the Northeastern region. Last year Haiphong was the largest attractor of FDI into Vietnam, this is the best example that companies appreciate the efforts taken by both government and industrial developers such as DEEP C, a cooperation between Belgian and Vietnamese shareholders. We are glad that Eurocham has witnessed this trend and acknowledges the need for a local EuroCham platform”

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