The Vietnam-Germany Business Forum was recently held in Ho Chi Minh City with the participation of hundreds of Vietnamese and German businesses engaged in investment activities in Vietnam. The main content of this forum revolves around two themes: vocational training for small and medium enterprises – an important factor for technology renovation and development in the foodstuff processing industry in Vietnam.
Mr Elmar Dutt, Chairman for the German Business Association Business Association said over the years, the trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Germany has improved significantly. Germany now has over 3.7 million businesses with high capacity, modern technology, advanced management experiences ... which are a great potential for Vietnam to stimulate investment promotion and attraction activities. However, Mr Elmar Dutt stated that Vietnam's investment environment is getting less attractive to German firms, mainly due to bureaucratic corruption, rigid protection policy, and arbitrary rules ... Recently the German Business Association conducted a survey of 750 German firms, of which 60 percent of businesses said that in the future the situation will get worse, 30 percent expressed optimism for the future.
Mr Elmar Dutt said that Vietnam is facing many challenges, especially the issue of human resources and vocational training. Accordingly he recommended that Vietnam should focus on investment in developing high-quality human resources and providing innovative products to attract German investors.
Mr Hoang Van Dung, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) said in some EU countries, Germany is the largest trading partner of Vietnam, accounting for 19 percent of Vietnam's exports to the EU and playing an important role in transiting goods from Vietnam to the EU countries. In 2011, the trade turnover between Vietnam and Germany reached nearly US$5.7 billion, accounting for more than 20 percent of the total two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and the EU. In particular, Vietnam has exported to the German market more than US$3.3 billion, increasing 41.9 percent over 2010.
In investment, Germany is Vietnam's biggest investor in the EU and ranks 24/95 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, mainly in the fields of industry, processing, and electronic... There are now 240 businesses investing and doing business in Vietnam with 184 FDI projects, total investment of US$924 million. Mr Dung emphasized that: "The technology products of Germany have highly appreciated by Vietnamese consumers. In the economic development of Vietnam, there is contribution of Germany's top brands such as Siemens, Metro Cash & Carry, and Bosch ... However, the investment of Germany to Vietnam is still not commensurate with the advantages and potential of both countries. From now to 2020, Vietnam needs US$200 billion to invest in infrastructure, creating great conditions for domestic and foreign enterprises to participate in investment cooperation. With the open policy, Vietnam welcomes investors in all countries, all regions; especially German investors ".
Mr Dung expressed his belief in the future, with the efforts of the two governments and the dynamics of the business community, cooperative relations between Vietnam and Germany will be elevated to new heights. Vietnam will actively improve the investment environment to attract more and more German investors.
Speaking at the forum, German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economics and Technology Philipp Roeesler said that in October 2011, in the visit to Vietnam by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the two governments have signed Hanoi Joint Declaration and agreed to improve bilateral relations to strategic partnership. Since this milestone, the cooperation between the two countries is constantly being built up, especially in the economic field. German firms visiting Vietnam this time learn about areas such as renewable energy, foodstuff processing industry, healthcare, and education sectors. Expressing support for the Free Trade Agreement of EU - Vietnam, Mr Philipp Roesler said that the agreement will take Vietnam - Germany cooperation relations to a new page, at the same time providing the basis for both sides to understand each other better, strengthening mutual trust in the economic field as well as in other aspects of cooperation. Mr Philipp Roesler said: "If Germany and Vietnam promote a solid legal framework, it will create success for both countries in the long run."
Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said that with abundant potential, open investment environment, transparent policies, opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and Germany are big and during the next time, the two countries will always be an important partner of the other. There are many potential areas where both countries can boost cooperation. Vietnam needs Germany’s assistance in improving institutional building capacity, administrative reform, infrastructure development, human resources training. Besides, Vietnam and Germany can cooperate in a large scale in areas such as health care, energy, and services.
Mr Philipp Roesler had a meeting with Mr Le Hoang Quan, Chairman of People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. After meeting with the Chairman Le Hoang Quan, Mr Philipp Roesler also visited a number of German businesses in Ho Chi Minh City; attended the inauguration ceremony of the German international school in Thao Dien Ward and that of the Germany-Vietnam technology institute in Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry. City University of Food Industry.
My Chau
Vietnamese
