Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has pledged further administrative reforms to improve the investment climate and ensure a level playing field for all businesses.

“With a foothold in Vietnam, businesses can access a market of 86 million customers and open up chances to expand further into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with a population strength of more than 600 million and even broader markets including a number of free trade areas grouping ASEAN with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea which are in the making,” Nhan said.

The business leaders appreciated Vietnam’s success in containing inflation and maintaining high economic growth as well as foreign investment inflows over the past years.

The meeting, co-chaired by WEFAsia Chief Sushant Palakurthi Rao, also examined Vietnam’s development directions, particularly those concerning infrastructure planning and human resource training.

On the same day, Nhan met with Swiss Vice President Loris Leuthard in Geneva, and discussed opportunities to boost bilateral economic cooperation.

Leuthard asked Vietnam to consider negotiations on a free trade area between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) that consists of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein.

Leuthard also proposed an air route between Vietnam and Switzerland in order to further develop commercial, investment and tourist cooperation which is faring well so far.

Switzerland always gives top priority to Vietnam in its official development assistance (ODA) policy with particular focus on assistance in global integration and post-WTO development, Leuthard said.

Leuthard requested feedback about a Swiss-funded capacity enhancement project involving the Ministry of Industry and Trade after Vietnam joined the WTO.

Source: VNA