EuroCham joined the Korean Chamber of Commerce (KOCHAM), the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCH) for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, 19 November, to address pressing business challenges in Vietnam.
The discussions focused on tackling VAT refund delays, work permit inefficiencies, and developing advocacy strategies to enhance transparency and administrative efficiency, aiming to drive meaningful reforms that benefit the broader business community and improve Vietnam’s regulatory environment.
Key Issues Discussed
- VAT Refund Delays and Financial Strain: Participants highlighted the significant delays in VAT refunds, unclear policies, and the dependence on consultants. Recommendations included digitalisation, simpler documentation requirements, and a streamlined refund process to alleviate financial strain on both SMEs and large corporations.
- Work Permit Issues: Unclear procedures, prolonged approval times, and outdated requirements across provinces have disrupted operations. The group proposed centralised guidelines and simplified processes to ensure uniformity and efficiency.
- Broader Advocacy Strategy: A unified approach was outlined, involving detailed issue-specific letters to central authorities, leveraging the Vietnam Business Forum platform, and pushing for long-term reforms in digitalisation and transparency.
Participants and Collaboration
The meeting featured Mr. Bruno Jaspaert (EuroCham Chairman), Mr. Jean-Jacques Bouflet (EuroCham Vice-Chairman in charge of Advocacy), Mrs. Delphine Roussetlet (EuroCham Executive Director) and representatives from KOCHAM, AMCHAM, and JCCH. The collaborative session reinforced the importance of joint advocacy in addressing shared challenges and fostering a more business-friendly environment in Vietnam.
