EuroCham participated in a dialogue on June 29 in Hanoi focusing on Vietnam’s transition towards a green and low-carbon circular economy. Led by Florika Fink-Hooijer, the Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV), the gathering convened representatives from EuroCham, the European Commission, and the EU Delegation to Vietnam. 

The main focus of the meeting was to enhance collaboration and address the specific challenges faced by European businesses operating in Vietnam. As part of the broader agenda, DG ENV aimed to hold bilateral meetings with key leaders and stakeholders in Vietnam, focusing on areas falling under the Director-General’s portfolio of responsibilities. These included discussions on the transition towards a green and low-carbon circular economy and the implementation of the new EU regulations on deforestation.

Key attendees and participants included:

EuroCham representatives:

• EuroCham Vice-Chair in charge of Advocacy Jean-Jacques Bouflet
• Vice-Chair Dominik Meichle
• Vice-Chair Claudia Anselmi
• Vice-Chair Minh Nguyen
• GGSC Chairman Erick Contreras
• Pharma Group Chairman Emin Turan
• Board Member and Green Growth Sector Committee (GGSC) Vice-Chair of the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Working Group Stuart Livesey
• Board Member Giando Zappia
• Executive Director Delphine Rousselet

European Commission and European Delegation to Vietnam representatives:

• Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV) Florika Fink-Hooijer
• Ambassador of the European Union to Vietnam H.E. Giorgio Aliberti
• Policy Assistant to the Director-General of DG Environment Luis Planas Herrera
• Country Desk Officer for Southeast Asia and ASEAN at DG ENV Valentina Beomonte Zobel
• First Counsellor of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam Rui Ludovino
• Policy Officer of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam Eloïse O’Carroll

During the meeting, EuroCham’s representatives seized the opportunity to showcase their extensive expertise in critical domains such as the circular economy, renewable energies, and the green transition within the Vietnamese market. The discussions revolved around the ongoing changes in government regulations and incentives concerning these vital subjects. Additionally, they candidly shared the specific challenges and obstacles they encounter, aiming to assist DG ENV in identifying key areas for their forthcoming dialogues with the Vietnamese government.

A number of questions related to the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) were also raised, and Mr. Bouflet clarified them using EuroCham’s local knowledge.