The Whitebook's 10th edition Presented and Celebrated in Ho Chi Minh City

EUROCHAM PRESENTED ITS 10TH WHITEBOOK IN HO CHI MINH CITY AT A CONFERENCE FOCUSING ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Ho Chi Minh City, 21 March – After a successful Launch last week, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) presented the 10th edition of its annual Whitebook in Ho Chi Minh City. The Whitebook Briefing 2018 was carried out under the theme “Building on 30 years of FDI | 20 years of EuroCham | 10 years of Whitebook”. 2018 marks both the organisation’s 20th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the Law on Foreign Investment which enabled Vietnam to receive its first wave of foreign investments.

The 10th edition of the Whitebook is a collective expression of the views of EuroCham member companies operating in a wide range of industries. The publication echoes the European business community’s desire to support the Vietnamese Government to develop the current legal framework, contributing to a prosperous business environment in Vietnam for the benefit of all companies, investors and society.

Co-Chairman Nicolas Audier chaired the Whitebook Briefing 2018 presenting the 10th edition of the Whitebook

The discussion focused on diverse trade and investment issues and recommendations from the European business community to the Vietnamese Government. Highlighting the role of European companies and investors as key to Vietnam’s overall FDI,, the event connected several key topics to the the reality of the current business environment in Ho Chi Minh City and Southern Vietnam. Among other, it covered crucial issues such as including Resolution 54, Smart City, and other policies on the City’s current programme. The debate also made ample reference to the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), expected to come into force this year. 

The half-day briefing engaged key stakeholders and the media, with the participation of top business representatives and experts from the EuroCham community. Representatives of EuroCham’s Sector Committees presented trade and investment issues in a dedicated session, engaging afterwards with Ho Chi Minh City leaders, VCCI, and other organisations in a panel discussion entitled: “European Trade and Investment in Ho Chi Minh City: a Retrospect of 20 years of EuroCham and Outlook on the EVFTA."

Mr. Pham Thanh Kien, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Industry and Trade congratulated EuroCham on the edition of its 10th Whitebook

More than 20 local Government and other relevant department officials were present at the event, endorsed by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.  Mr. Pham Thanh Kien – Director of the Ho Chi Minh City People Committee's Department of Industry and Trade – openened the session. Mr. Kien remarked that this event is symbolic of the good dialogue between the private sector and local Government authorities. Mr. Vo Tan Thanh – Deputy Director of the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) – also stressed the importance of the dialogue and the opportunities that lie in Ho Chi Minh City's future plans. EuroCham also invited former Chairman Mr.Alain Cany – Country Chairman of Jardine Matheson Vietnam – who in turn took the audience through the History of the Whitebook and of European trade advocacy in Vietnam since the 1990s.

Mr. Alain Cany, former EuroCham Chairman (2005-2011) recalled the Chamber's journey since the early days of its advocacy work

EuroCham Co-Chairman Mr. Nicolas Audier conveyed EuroCham’s overall position: in order for Vietnam to become even more competitive, changing the legal framework to enable trade and investment facilitation towards a better business environment is of the essence. He also highlighted that more efforts in this direction would benefit not only the country’s openness towards European business, but ultimately its integration on a regional and global level. 

The conference attracted more around 120 attendees, including business representatives and Government officials from a variety of relevant departments. 

The even attracted more than 120 attendees, including business leaders, Government officials and media

In his closing remarks, Co-Chairman Nicolas Audier stressed the importance of this annual event and the contribution of the industry's perspective, as a milestone in reinforcing a continuous dialogue between EuroCham and Government authorities.

500 copies of the 10th edition of the Whitebook are being provided to Ministries, Embassies and Consulates; Chambers of Commerce since its launch in Hanoi earlier this month. The publication will also be distributed among national and international organisations, media and trade missions visiting Vietnam. Over the next few months, EuroCham will also organise a series of meetings panel discussions in several provinces in Vietnam, focusing on selected topics. Like in previous editions, EuroCham will also deliver the Whitebook 2018 to the European Commission and the European Parliament. 

The EuroCham Whitebook 2018 is available for download at www.eurochamvn.org/whitebook2018. EuroCham members, selected organisations, and media can obtain a free hard copy on request at EuroCham offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

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