Yesterday (6 July) EuroCham joined a high-level meeting between the foreign diplomatic and business communities and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee (HCMC PC). With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, the authorities invited consulates and international business associations to share their concerns and recommendations with city leaders.
Speaking on behalf of EuroCham, Chairman Alain Cany stressed that the focus now needs to be on a widespread vaccination program. EuroCham counts among its members some of the world’s leading companies with experience and expertise in the pharmaceutical, medical, and logistics sectors. Mr Cany emphasized that European business would be pleased to support HCMC to roll out its mass vaccination program. For instance, EuroCham members represent a significant proportion of Vietnam’s medical device market. In light of the city’s urgent need for testing kits and PCR machines, he encouraged the authorities to consider a fast-track import and registration process for medical devices and other equipment which will be essential to containing the spread of the virus.
EuroCham also highlighted the willingness of our members to contribute to Vietnam’s vaccination fund. However, Mr Cany reiterated that transparency is essential if Vietnam is to secure the greatest possible contribution from private enterprise.
The meeting, hosted by the Vice-Chair of the HCMC PC Mr Duong Anh Duc, also featured contributions from the consulates of France and the Netherlands as well as representatives of other business associations. The common message from all speakers was that mass vaccination will be vital to resuming normal commercial activities. Until this can be achieved, however, business operations need to be able to continue in order to achieve the government’s dual goals of protecting health and promoting economic growth.
Join our Upcoming Webinar to Find out More
Next week, EuroCham will host a webinar where we will share more from this high-level dialogue and discuss the latest on Vietnam’s race to vaccinate against COVID-19. With events moving fast, we want to share the latest developments and update on EuroCham’s campaign to advocate for an accelerated vaccination drive and reduced quarantine requirements. In the last few weeks alone since our latest webinar, EuroCham and our nine affiliated business associations have written to all EU Member State embassies urging them to increase the donation of vaccinations to Vietnam and to consider vaccinating their own citizens here.
This event – free for EuroCham members – will hear from Chairman Alain Cany, Chairman and General Director of AstraZeneca Vietnam Mr Nitin Kapoor, and EuroCham board member Thue Quist Thomasen. Register now to hear more about:
The progress of EuroCham's campaign to advocate for an accelerated vaccination drive
Information on vaccination sources and supplies
The initial results of EuroCham´s Business Climate Index and Vaccination Questionnaire
REGISTER HERE
