Economic forum promotes Vietnam-Switzerland cooperation

The recent Swiss-Viet Economic Forum 2024 has contributed to promoting the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland.

The hybrid event, themed "Strengthening Ties, Building Futures", was co-held on June 4 at the University of Zurich by the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland and the Swiss-Viet Economic Forum (SVEF).

Supported by the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries, the people's committees of provinces and cities, and investment funds such as Aquis Capital, Bellecapital, Vietnamese private conglomerate Bamboo Capital Group, the Keep It Beautiful Vietnam (KIBV) organization, as well as Vietnamese and Swiss associations, organizations, and businesses, it drew the participation of over 200 delegates.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang and representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Financial Supervisory Commission, Lang Son, Cao Bang and Vinh Long provinces and Can Tho city; and many Vietnamese and Swiss businesses and economic experts attended and delivered speeches at the forum.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland Phung The Long stressed that the event was an opportunity for agencies, localities, associations, and businesses of the two countries to share information, exchange policies, and seek opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, finance and innovation, research, and training to promote the potential and strengths of each country, thus contributing to promoting friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

The forum highlighted four strategic topics, including policies supporting trade, investment, and development; the role and potential of Vietnam-Switzerland cooperation; opportunities for bilateral cooperation in financial sector; and startup investment.

In the first discussion session, delegates exchanged views on policies to support and promote trade and investment relations between Vietnam and Switzerland. They also shared the potential, strengths and needs for cooperation, investment attraction policies of Vietnamese provinces and cities, as well as potential benefits from signing a free trade agreement between Vietnam and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.

During the second session, participants discussed and shared policies and cooperation needs in key areas of investment, innovation and renewable energy for sustainable development, and provided consultations on legal regulations in cooperation between businesses of the two countries.

Meanwhile, at the third session, Nguyen Ho Nam, chairman of the Strategic Council of Bamboo Capital Group and vice chairman of SVEF, emphasized the role of SVEF in connecting the two nations’ businesses and investors, as well as the role of Bamboo Capital in connecting and supporting SVEF to carry out its mission and role.

Under the chair of Son Nguyen, managing partner at Aquis Capital, participants focused on discussing investment potential and opportunities in finance and financial technologies, the environment and economic trends affecting cooperation in this field, and several government policies to improve the legal framework and financial investment environment in Vietnam.

In the last panel, representatives of businesses and startups introduced their innovative products, services and business models, contributions to the economy, growth potential and market expansion capabilities.

They also mentioned ways to promote an entrepreneurial spirit, opportunities for connection, innovation and economic diversification, as well as attract potential investors and partners, and discussed challenges and successes in the startup ecosystem.

In the context of unpredictable world developments, the Vietnamese economy has faced many challenges and difficulties. However, the country has maintained macroeconomic stability, controlled inflation, and ensured major balances of the economy with appropriate policies and strong and drastic actions.

In the spirit of "harmonizing benefits, sharing risks," policy makers, experts, local leaders and businesses of Vietnam made positive contributions to the sessions, discussed and shared knowledge, and proposed measures to promote practical and effective trade and investment cooperation with Swiss partners.

Economic, trade and investment relations between Vietnam and Switzerland have been developing positively recently. Some areas in Vietnam that have been assessed by Swiss investment funds as having great potential include exports, tourism, and information technology services.

Vietnam considers Switzerland one of its important partners in Europe, while Switzerland sees Vietnam as the most dynamic economy in Southeast Asia, a strategic partner for regional economic cooperation.

Thanks to its strategic location, stable society, cheap but highly skilled labor force, and strong global integration, Vietnam has been and continues to be an attractive destination for foreign investors, including those from Switzerland.