Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Vietnam is a land of opportunities, with great potential for cooperation so that the two countries can become 'green dragons'.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his counterpart Mark Rutte attended the high-level plenary session of the Green Economy Forum 2023 organized by the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) on the afternoon of November 2.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Vietnam and the Netherlands have a long-standing relationship - dating back more than 400 years to when Dutch traders docked at Hoi An port. The Netherlands is the largest investor among European countries in Vietnam. The country is also a transit gateway as 60% of Vietnamese goods exported to Europe pass through the port of Rotterdam.
In addition, the two countries are facing environmental challenges and climate change. "Unsustainable economic growth will cause many harmful effects," he emphasized. In fact, manufacturing enterprises and suppliers must now comply with new EU regulations on sustainable production.
"We are here because we believe that green growth is our common future. Vietnam is the land of rising dragons, the land of opportunities. We can cooperate and take advantage of every new opportunity so that both countries can become green dragons," Prime Minister Mark Rutte shared.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Mark Rutte attended the forum on the afternoon of November 2. Photo: Giang Huy
Green economy is now considered a solution and a mandatory trend that countries around the world must follow.
EuroCham Chairman Gabor Fluit said companies that turn a blind eye to this risk becoming irrelevant. Those that adapt will position themselves as market leaders of the future.
"Especially for Vietnamese businesses, this anticipation is necessary to maintain competitiveness at home and abroad," he assessed.
Mr. Stuart Livesey, CEO of Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP) Vietnam, also noted that if Vietnam is not capable of supplying green energy to FDI enterprises, they will likely shift to other markets to ensure customers' low-carbon goods requirements.
"In fact, Vietnam has many opportunities to develop renewable energy such as wind and solar power, and even has great potential to become the renewable energy center of Southeast Asia," said Mr. Stuart Livesey. According to him, it is important that Vietnam has a long-term development strategy, clear policies and legal framework.
In response, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam is aiming for green, sustainable production so that investors can do business effectively and long-term. "We are determined to develop quickly but sustainably and inclusively, without sacrificing the environment or social justice to pursue growth," he said.
Accordingly, Vietnam supports the EU's strategies, initiatives and policies on green development, including regulations on production. "We will strictly implement these regulations," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pledged.
However, he also noted that Vietnam is a developing country with a transitioning economy, still facing many difficulties, and needs the EU in general and the Netherlands in particular to share and help. For example, jointly building mechanisms, policies, transferring technology, providing financial support, and training human resources for green development.
He also appreciated his counterpart's viewpoint - considering the Mekong Delta as part of the Netherlands. This land is currently threatened by the risk of subsidence, landslides, and saltwater intrusion, affecting the livelihoods of 22 million people. This is also the food granary serving the domestic and export markets of Vietnam. Therefore, he proposed that investors support and increase investment in this area. Priority areas include climate change response, strategic infrastructure construction, and emission reduction in production.
Vietnam is also actively preventing deforestation, promoting afforestation, implementing carbon credit sales, and developing biomass power.
Also at this forum, the Prime Minister asked delegates to have a voice to urge relevant parties to ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and soon remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnam.
Duc Minh
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