VIETNAM, September 18 -  

HÀ NỘI — Representatives from foreign-invested businesses and business associations frankly pointed out shortcomings and obstacles, and proposed solutions to promote development in Việt Nam at a hybrid meeting with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Saturday.

They applauded Việt Nam for its achievements in recent years, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the world. They expressed their thanks for the support of the Vietnamese Government to the business community in general and FDI enterprises in particular.

Nakajima Takeo, Chief Representative of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Hà Nội, said that in a survey conducted by his agency on over 1,700 parent companies of Japanese firms, Việt Nam ranked second among countries that companies want to expand investment.

FDI companies are eager to follow Việt Nam's policy development. They underlined the need to diversify in terms of networks in the supply chain; suggested local authorities increase training for workers and provide them with accommodations and transportation means.

Kim Young-chul, Vice Chairman of the Korean Business Association in Việt Nam (KORCHAM), affirmed that in the context of uncertainties in the world such as inflation and supply chain disruption, Việt Nam is still highly valued thanks to efforts to maintain stable prices and foreign exchange rate.

Việt Nam should have a more open visa policy to become a global tourism hub and attract more foreign investment, Kim said, adding that planning schemes for short-and long-term infrastructure, including power systems, roads, and bridges need to be improved to support high-tech projects.

Meanwhile, a representative from the Singapore Business Association Việt Nam highlighted the importance of developing domestic support industries in order to reduce dependence on imported materials, and called on Vietnamese authorities to simplify administrative procedures to facilitate businesses' opertions.

According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HSBC Vietnam Tim Evans, Việt Nam continues to be an attractive destination. It is ranked 2nd in terms of post-pandemic recovery potential.

Evans recommended that Việt Nam should promote regular dialogues between state management agencies and FDI enterprises in order to clarify regulations and policies related to capital flows, financing, business establishment and incentives.

He also underlined the need for Việt Nam to focus on developing skilled workers, saying that this will be an important factor to promote and attract high-value investments in high-value industries such as semiconductors, automotive engineering, fintech, and logistics.

Erin Ennis, Senior Vice President of DELL TECHNOLOGIES Group, said that the investments over the past 30 years show that Dell's projects in Việt Nam have promoted and contributed significantly to the development of electronic and mechanical industries and packing in the country.

Việt Nam will play an important role in Dell's continued diversification of supply chain, she said, adding that Dell looks forward to further contributing to Việt Nam's economy and electronics industry.

Meanwhile, Michael Vũ Nguyễn, Country Director of Boeing Vietnam, said Boeing has introduced the potential of sustainable energy for the aviation industry and encouraged the investment, production and use of clean fuel for airlines in Việt Nam in the future.

He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Government would continue the open, flexible and effective policy for main suppliers in the aviation industry to make it easier for them to pour more investments into the country.

Việt Nam should promote the deployment of green infrastructure and green materials, he said, expecting that the country will become an important source of supply for the aerospace industry in general and the supply chain of Boeing Corporation in particular.

Nguyễn Hoàng, representative of the Management Board of the Hà Nội Southern Supporting Industrial Park, suggested large international enterprises and multinational corporations operating in Việt Nam create the most favourable conditions and opportunities for Vietnamese businesses, especially those specialising in the support industry, to become their partners and satellite manufacturers; and join the production chain in Việt Nam.

At the conference, representatives from a number of localities such as Quảng Ninh, Cần Thơ and Nghệ An briefed participants on potential, strengths and investment opportunities, mechanisms, policies, the business and investment environment in their localities. VNS