EuroCham Vietnam and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) met officially on 22nd July in Ha Noi, represented by Chairman Michael Behrens and President Dr. Vu Tien Loc respectively. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss EuroCham and VCCI’s cooperation and how the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) – in force between the two organisations since 1998 – can enhance joint activities for the benefit of European and Vietnamese business.
The meeting approached that activities should follow the direction of the Co-Action Plan signed on 2nd March, 2016, focusing on reactivating the cooperation under EU – Vietnam Business Forum the promotion and implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Both sides share the same perspective on the EVFTA impact. EuroCham Chair stressed that the recent EuroCham Business Climate Index shows that 90% of European companies are very optimistic about the EVFTA and think now is the time to move forward. EuroCham, together with VCCI support, can provide support in the free trade implementation.
EuroCham and VCCI committed to work together on organizing more business matchmaking and B2B-focused events. The reach of the recent draft Law on Supporting Small-and-Medium-Enterprises (SMEs) was also discussed, given its present scope which refers only to SMEs in the context of the Transpacific Partnership and the ASEAN Economic Community. EuroCham and VCCI agreed that this is a topic they should work on, while also mentioning the possible creation of a pilot mechanism towards a future Europe-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce.
EuroCham shared with VCCI its new approach regarding its yearly Whitebook – EuroCham’s flagship publication compiling recommendations from EuroCham members to the Government – while VCCI confirmed that it will be contributing to the Whitebook once again with a welcome note and participating in the 2017 edition’s launch event.
Lastly, the meeting approached recommendations and concerns coming directly from EuroCham’s Sector Committees, which Chairman Michael Behrens conveyed to Dr. Vu Tien Loc in a more detailed manner. The topics included:
The relaxation of the EVN monopoly over retail power sales, by the Governments agreement to allow a small number of pilot DPPAs to be implemented. European companies stand ready to invest in Vietnam with a sustainable approach regarding green and clean energy (Green Growth Sector Committee);
Opportunities for foreign investors to establish foreign invested enterprises through which to operate and partner with local pharmaceutical companies, in line with the EVFTA provisions and other international commitments, as well as promoting Vietnam as a pharmaceutical hub within ASEAN (Pharmaceutical Sector Committee).
Other sectoral issues were mentioned, and both sides agreed to provide detailed recommendations and follow up further with each other and with the Government.
The two Chairmen also exchanged and shared their views on EuroCham’s and VCCI’s presence and visibility, positive expectations towards the Government and their influence as chambers of commerce which gather the voices of the European and the Vietnamese business communities. Both sides agreed that they should organise more joint visits to local provinces and meet with business associations for further exchange of experiences.
