On the afternoon of March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received a delegation of leading Dutch businesses led by President of the Confederation of Dutch Employers and Industry Ingrid Thijssen who are visiting and working in Vietnam.
Also attending the reception were Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Kees van Baar; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan; Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands; and leaders of a number of relevant ministries and branches.
Welcoming the Dutch business delegation to visit and work in Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the Dutch business delegation's visit to Vietnam this time is a specific activity, realizing the results achieved during the visits of the Vietnamese Prime Minister to the Netherlands at the end of 2022 and the Dutch Prime Minister to Vietnam at the end of 2023.
According to the Prime Minister, after 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations (1973-2023), 5 years of establishing the Comprehensive Partnership (2019-2024) and 10 years of the Strategic Partnership on sustainable agriculture and food security (2014-2024), the Vietnam-Netherlands relationship is considered a typical example of a "dynamic and effective relationship" between the two regions of Asia and Europe.
The Netherlands has become the largest investor, the second largest trading partner and export market of Europe in Vietnam. The Netherlands has implemented many practical programs to support Vietnam in socio-economic development, poverty reduction, improving the quality of education and training, healthcare, combating climate change, overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic...
Ms. Ingrid Thijssen - President of the Confederation of Dutch Employers and Industry and leaders of Dutch enterprises expressed admiration for Vietnam's remarkable development in recent times; said that Vietnam is a priority for the Netherlands in general and Dutch enterprises in particular in the region; wished and committed to continue accompanying Vietnam in development.
Leaders of Dutch corporations requested the Government to direct ministries and branches to continue reviewing and having better policies on taxes, visas, and administrative procedures; in particular, they hope to have a connection point to receive support, transfer technology, promote cooperation in the fields of shipbuilding, seaports, semiconductors, renewable energy, environmental protection, climate change response, and supply of materials to participate in the project to build 1 million social housing units, etc.
In addition, businesses requested the Government to direct Vietnamese businesses, especially in the fields of agriculture and food, to improve product quality, implement commitments to green, clean, safe, sustainable development, and fight against counterfeit goods; and wish to purchase directly from farmers... so that Vietnamese agricultural products have more opportunities to enter the Netherlands.
After the Vietnamese leaders gave their opinions, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged and answered the issues that the Dutch business delegation was concerned about; highly appreciated the business activities of Dutch enterprises in Vietnam in recent times, making practical contributions to Vietnam's economic development and Vietnam-Netherlands relations.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam is always open, sincere and ready to listen to the thoughts, shares and opinions of the foreign business community, including Dutch businesses.
Informing about the situation in Vietnam and its development priorities, the Prime Minister said that the two sides still have a lot of potential and strengths that can complement and support each other. Therefore, the Prime Minister suggested that large Dutch corporations and enterprises effectively take advantage of the opportunities of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), increase market opening, and strive to bring bilateral trade turnover to 15 billion USD soon in the coming time.
Dutch enterprises continue to maintain and expand cooperation; strengthen business connections, build specific, feasible projects with high added value and competitiveness, capable of participating in the global value chain; connect with Vietnamese enterprises in fields where the Netherlands has strengths and Vietnam has needs such as high-tech agriculture, new energy, renewable energy, semiconductor chips, climate change adaptation, shipbuilding services, seaports, shipbuilding technology, logistics, etc.
Along with that, creating conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to participate more deeply in the production value chain of Dutch enterprises; strengthening cooperation between business associations and industry associations between the two countries; enhancing connections and mutual understanding, thereby connecting enterprises to promote cooperation and investment.
The Prime Minister suggested actively advising on improving the business investment environment; perfecting institutions, mechanisms and policies to encourage enterprises to apply sustainable business models, develop emerging industries and develop economic and digital fields, build a green and circular economy; promote cooperation in training high-quality human resources to jointly implement effective and successful business activities, bringing practical benefits to the two countries.
In the spirit of "understanding, sharing, working together, enjoying together, sharing difficulties, harmonizing benefits, sharing risks," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the Vietnamese Government always accompanies, listens, supports in resolving difficulties and problems if any, and creates all favorable conditions for the business community, including Dutch corporations and enterprises, to invest successfully, sustainably and long-term in Vietnam./.
Pham Tiep - (Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)
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