Twenty newly appointed ambassadors had a direct meeting with Vietnamese businesses and business associations to exchange information and seek support for the future before they leave the country for the new missions. The meeting was held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in Hanoi.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Vu Tien Loc, VCCI President, said that this is not only an exchange but also an opportunity to support businesses to expand and promote business activities with foreign partners with Vietnamese embassies in the target markets as useful channels. Currently, the business force is playing an increasingly important role in national economic development but the business community is now facing numerous difficulties in the wake of global and domestic economic downturn. The slowdown is expected to end in the third quarter of 2013 and start to recover after that.
"Diplomats play an important role and serve as a bridge for domestic companies to approach foreign partners and expand global presence. Therefore, more than ever, the business community very much needs the support of diplomats for development and market expansion," he said.
On the behalf of newly appointed ambassadors, Mr To Anh Dung, Vietnamese Ambassador to Canada, said, with their heavy responsibility, the new ambassadors will try the best to fulfil all missions, including the support for domestic business community with foreign business communities where the ambassadors work.
"The ambassadors will learn and grasp opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises, function as an “antenna” to scan economic information in places they are in charge of, report to the Government, and advise the Government on all fields, including economic and project information. Besides, the ambassadors will also act as bridges to promote trade and tourism of Vietnam and introduce potentials and cooperation opportunities of Vietnamese companies to foreign partners," he said.
However, he said that the ambassadors must know interests of Vietnamese companies in the countries they reside to do the jobs well. And, they need accurate, sufficient and timely information about enterprises to help them do business in those countries.
Mr Luu Hong Minh, Vice Chairman of Vietnam SME Association, expects the new ambassadors to take notice of SMEs in the countries they reside because they are quick at capturing new technologies and cooperate flexibly. He hoped the ambassadors can send information on laws, business practices, trade barriers and market entry methods to the association. Then, the association will quickly handle to post on the website for member companies. Such access will be shorter and more efficient.
Mr Nguyen Van of N&G Investment Development Joint Stock Company added that difficulties the Vietnamese business community usually faces in foreign countries are administrative procedures and laws. He also expected the ambassadors will support and facilitate domestic enterprises to seek and expand markets effectively.
Quynh Chi
Vietnamese
