He also proposed to support businesses to promote sustainable development and create a stable business environment, so that Vietnam continues to be an attractive destination for foreign investors.

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Mr. Wietse Mutters (middle), CEO of Heineken Vietnam, shared at the dialogue. Photo: EuroCham

As one of the first foreign investors to enter Vietnam in the early 1990s, Heineken has grown into a leading FMCG company in Vietnam, with five factories and nearly 3,000 employees across the country. The company is creating more than 170,000 jobs across its entire value chain.

In over 33 years of operation, Heineken Vietnam has always been one of the enterprises with the largest contribution to the state budget. In 2023 alone, Heineken Vietnam contributed the equivalent of 0.5% of the total GDP and 2.1% of the total national budget revenue.

Aiming for a better Vietnam, sustainable development is always at the heart of all business and production activities of the enterprise, with a long-term strategy focusing on three main pillars: "Society, Responsible Drinking, and Environment" - with a great ambition to achieve Net Zero in production by 2030.

At the dialogue with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, General Director of Heineken Vietnam Wietse Mutters once again emphasized the company's belief in Vietnam's potential, demonstrated through its outstanding speed in economic growth, digital transformation and promoting sustainable development.

To make the most of this potential, Mr. Mutters shared his views on two key issues – one is the circular economy, and two is the need for a stable and consistent investment environment.

Specifically, businesses are particularly interested in the circular element in aluminum packaging production and the urgency of establishing aluminum can recycling infrastructure.

Heineken Vietnam’s general director said that most of the company’s products are sold in aluminum cans, and the company prioritizes purchasing these aluminum cans from domestic manufacturers. However, because Vietnam does not have an aluminum rolling mill, companies like Heineken Vietnam are forced to export used cans abroad to be recycled into aluminum rolls, then imported back to Vietnam to produce new cans.

HEINEKEN is particularly concerned about the circularity of aluminium packaging production and the urgency of establishing aluminium can recycling infrastructure.

(Mr. Wietse Mutters, General Director of Heineken Vietnam)

He stressed the need for professional aluminum rolling mills with domestic recycling capabilities, helping to optimize the supply chain and reduce dependence on foreign recycled raw materials.

He hopes that the Government will study and create conditions to license professional aluminum rolling mills to set up factories in Vietnam, thereby establishing the foundation for a circular economy. This is also a premise for businesses to continue to strongly contribute to the Net Zero target by 2050 that Vietnam has set.

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Heineken Vietnam has recorded a 93% reduction in carbon emissions compared to 2018. Photo: HVN

Regarding the stable business and investment environment, Mr. Mutters, representing the business, proposed a roadmap for increasing tax rates on alcohol and beer in the draft amendment to the Law on Special Consumption Tax.

In order to facilitate people and businesses to recover after a challenging period, Heineken Vietnam recommends that the Government postpone the increase in special consumption tax until 2027 and consider an appropriate increase.

Accordingly, businesses call for a balanced proposal that helps ensure sustainable revenue sources, enhances the attractiveness of the investment environment and promotes the long-term effectiveness of tax policies.

In addition to the tax increase roadmap, solutions to strengthen control and handle the production of alcohol and beer of unknown origin were also discussed during the dialogue.

Accordingly, the production of "grass" beer is increasing and becoming difficult to control, causing many major challenges to consumer health and business transparency.

Illegal production facilities not only cause loss of state budget revenue but also create an unhealthy competitive environment, affecting businesses that fully comply with legal regulations.

In response to these concerns, a representative of Heineken Vietnam recommended that the Government direct relevant agencies to implement specific solutions to enhance effective management, ensure a fair competitive environment, promote propaganda to raise public awareness, and tighten inspection and handling measures to prevent illegal beer production.

In addition, Mr. Mutters also proposed close cooperation in developing policies to manage the alcoholic beverage industry to ensure sustainable development for an industry that is important to Vietnam's economy.

“We appreciate closer coordination between authorities, business associations and brand representatives to achieve practical policies in line with international practices,” said Mr. Mutters.

Heineken Vietnam General Director reaffirmed that the company will always accompany and develop with the country and people of Vietnam, actively contributing to common economic and sustainable development goals to build a better future for the country.

(According to Nhan Dan)