Vice Minister for Foreign Trade of the Netherlands, Marten van den Berg, takes fifty business men and women on tour to Vietnam.
Vice Minister for Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Marten van den Berg, is visiting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on October 24 and 25. He will be accompanied by 50 business people of 35 Dutch companies. The corporate focus is very much on two sectors: agriculture/agro-food and logistics/aviation.
Dutch companies take a keen interest in doing business in Vietnam. Among them are not just renowned big companies such as Damen Schipyards, Royal Boskalis and Royal Haskoning DHV, but also many mid-size companies that start eyeing Vietnam as a potential market and investment destination. So why are the Dutch so enthusiastic about Vietnam? Well, over the past decades, Vietnam has made huge economic strides forward, achieving an average growth of 7 per cent, while also enjoying spectacular success in poverty reduction. In 2007 Vietnam joined the WTO and reached middle income country status in 2010.
Another clear incentive is that the Vietnamese and the Dutch get on very well with each other, regarding each other as reliable long-term business partners who bring something really worthwhile to the table. Equally important, the Netherlands has long developed world-class expertise and capabilities in precisely those sectors Vietnam takes such a strong interest in like agriculture, horticulture and water. This we wish to expand to other sectors like logistics and aviation for which a cluster of 10 aviation related companies will start building partnerships with Vietnamese counterparts.
Vietnam has set itself the objective of evolving into an advanced economy by the year 2035. That huge economic effort will require a great deal of investment, expertise and cooperation in various sectors of the economy – with the Netherlands being a world leader in exactly those areas that Vietnam prioritises. Dutch investors and companies are keen to explore precisely those opportunities where partnerships on equal footing can be built and sustainable inclusive business can be realised.
The relationship between the Netherlands and Vietnam has shifted from a development partnership towards deeper economic cooperation. As we expand our trading and investment ties with Vietnam in various sectors, the Netherlands will give priority to promoting sustainability and inclusiveness across the board. This approach has become the basis for a full-fledged campaign called ‘Tomorrow is Green’ with many activities since the launch of this campaign and two events during this mission. Our countries’ economic cooperation has crystalised in strategic partnerships on water and climate adaptation (2010) and on agriculture and food security (2014), and in an EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. We value Vietnam’s strategic regional position as a member of both the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Clearly Vietnam, with its impressive economic growth rate, growing middle class and rising living standard, is an invaluable trading partner for the Netherlands. I look forward to leading this formidable business delegation and to promoting Dutch innovation, trade and development, to the mutual benefit of all parties. Following the recent elections in Vietnam, this is a timely opportunity to meet with my counterparts to discuss ways of strengthening our bilateral ties. Thank you for participating in this mission. I wish the delegation a successful and enjoyable trip. Marten van den Berg Vice-Minister for Foreign Trade |
And our experience teaches us that we can be excellent partners. We see a clear interest on the Vietnamese side to gain Dutch expertise in a wide range of sectors, be it on water, agriculture, logistics, energy or health: an exchange with innovation, inclusive growth and sustainability as key notions. Our strategic partnerships with Vietnam on water management and climate change adaptation as well as on sustainable agriculture and food security give us direction. Very important, we find in our Vietnamese friends serious partners dealing with global challenges like climate change and sustainable growth, striving for a world with attention not only for profit, but also for our peoples and our planet. The visit of our Vice Minister will be an excellent opportunity to speak with members of the new Vietnamese cabinet on these issues. My staff at the Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City look very much forward to a successful visit, and stand ready to follow up on further enhancing our excellent relations. Nienke Trooster Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Vietnam |
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Trade is what brought the first Dutch citizens to Vietnam in 1632 and still is one of the major binding factors between our countries. The Netherlands is the largest EU investor in Vietnam, and its second EU trade partner. And the interest to do business in Vietnam and with Vietnamese people is only growing. The large number of businesses accompanying our Vice Minister for Foreign Trade during his visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is proof of this. It is no surprise to me. The growth figures, the openness of the economy, and the young dynamic workforce make Vietnam a very attractive business destination in this part of the world.