How we get it – How we support Vietnam

As one of the largest business associations in Vietnam and the region, recognized by Vietnamese, European and other authorities as a powerful and effective lobbying and advocacy advisor for the business community in the country, we take very seriously our role as a prime mediator between the business community and the local, national, European and regional governments and authorities.

EuroCham is actively engaging with local, national, regional and global stakeholders on different levels and through a variety of forums. Please find below an indicative overview of the different ways in which EuroCham seeks to support Vietnam in becoming a more competitive market place:

1. Often, it is our members who alert us to specific issues inhibiting their trade and investment operations, often through our Sector Committee meetings and activities. Once we have collected the views of our members and formed a consensus on possible remedies, we then set about working with the relevant authorities, alerting them to the issue(s) and suggesting possible and plausible solutions.
2. Compiled from position papers drafted by the chairs of our Sector Committees, we annually publish the Whitebook which identifies issues inhibiting businesses in Vietnam, between Vietnam and the EU and other relevant areas such as WTO commitments and compliance. The Whitebook offers holistic and realistic recommendations to the relevant local, national, regional and European authorities. Each chapter provides a concise overview of the particular issues affecting business as well as key recommendations for each chapter, to help the Government prioritize their efforts. 
3. High-level Governmental round-tables, private dialogues and events with the Vietnamese Government. We work hand-in-hand with the VCCI on a number of issues of national and regional importance including the organisation of this year’s ASEAN-EU Business Summit, which took place in Hanoi.  
4. Currently, we are supporting the EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiators from the European Commission on providing with market specific regulatory and practical information on Vietnam so as to ensure a strong, implementable EU-Vietnam FTA. This also includes informing visiting high-ranking officials from the European Commission, the private sector and others of the current Vietnamese business situation and the challenges we face. 
5. We regularly present the most important issues at the bi-annual Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) to reach a wider audience, including key decision makers from local, national, foreign and regional authorities, heads of diplomatic missions, leading figures in local and foreign business and fellow business associations. In return, we are often consulted by national and foreign authorities for input on proposed trade and investment policy.