Vietnam - Slovakia friendship relationship has been increasingly deepened, ranging from cultural exchanges and economic cooperation. In 2013, the two-way trade turnover reached US$417 million, up 39 percent over 2012. With strong supports of the two governments, businesses of the two sides have actively established cooperation ties on the principle of mutual benefit. To learn more about economic cooperation and cultural exchange results between the two countries, Vietnam Business Forum has an interview with Mr Nguyen Huy Cuong, Director of the Slovak- Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce (SVCC) in Hanoi. Le Sang reports.
As the head of the Slovak - Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi as well as a businessman, how do you think about current economic cooperation prospects between Vietnam and Slovakia?
I am very lucky to live in an atmosphere of both Vietnamese and Czechoslovakia cultures (now the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic). Today, with all the emotion and passion as well as the love of a scientist and a businessman for two countries, I am extremely confident in the bright future of good friendship and cooperation relations between Vietnam and Slovakia. This is the relationship of old friends who become current partners and look to a higher position than today, i.e. strategic partners. It is amazing because this relationship can open up the doors of enormous potential for both countries to enter promising markets.
As known, Slovakia is strong in precision engineering, advanced materials, energy and especially nuclear energy. So, this is a very good place for technology companies in Vietnam to acquire know-how.
How has the Slovak - Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi specifically contributed to promoting economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries?
From our roles and responsibilities, with our love and desire to uplift the bilateral relations, we - all the staff of the Slovak - Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi - have tried our best to create a bridge for promoting trade and economic cooperation and enhancing cultural exchanges between the two countries. With the assistance of the Government of Vietnam and of the Embassy of Slovakia in Vietnam, we actively supported the success of the first Vietnam-Slovakia Intergovernmental Conference in 2013 and we are now very actively preparing for the second assembly.
Cooperation contents we have helped to accelerate include the cooperation in treating wastes discharged into the environment; experience in public administration reform; accelerated application of high technology to radar, pilot training and aviation rescue; and promoted cooperation in energy projects like National Oil and Gas Centre. In addition, we act as a bridge for Slovak corporations to survey and invest in Vietnam, including BTG Group (investing in industrial zones in Hoa Binh province) and SKODA Group (investing in small and medium hydropower plants, which replace China's technologies). We are helping companies of the both countries to establish development cooperation, including businesses in oil and gas industry, LED lights and clean energy. Especially, in the IT sector, FPT Corporation set up a new arm in Slovakia.
What is the ‘key’ to make old friends new partners now, and possibly higher positions in the future?
I think the first key is to improve the investment environment and enhance professionalism in commercial, cultural, tourism and investment promotion. This requires effective, specific and proactive approaches of both countries in order to create a level playing field on the win-win nature for the business communities of both sides. Then, the two countries will create breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation.
Would you be kind enough to name some of those who have been contributing to the elevation of friendly cooperation relations between Vietnam and Slovakia?
Apart from the support of the Governments, some people and entities have made substantial contributions to this friendly cooperation relationship. Typical figures include Mr Doan Duy Khuong, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and President of the Vietnam - Slovakia Friendship Association; Mr Igor Pacolak, Ambassador of Slovak Republic to Vietnam; and Mr Dang Hoang Hai, Director of the European Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Besides, the bilateral cooperation ties are built up by business entities of the two nations, including BTG Holding Group, VUJE, JAVYS, SKEX, SK, CELOX and Slavia Capital from the Slovakia side, and FPT, EVN, PSI, Petrolimex and Mai Linh C from the Vietnam side.
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