WEF ASEAN 2018: PM holds dialogue with global corporation leaders

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the dialogue

At the dialogue, the Vietnamese leader wanted to know what investors expect from the Vietnamese Government and who are willing to expand investment in Vietnam.

The PM urged the foreign businesses to clarify what adjustments that Vietnam should make to facilitate investors’ expansion in the country.

He asked the participants to talk about issues of their interests as well as biggest concerns while running business in the country, and called on investors to contribute ideas to help Vietnam make breakthroughs in its development in both short and long terms.

Speaking at the dialogue, global CEOs appreciated the Vietnamese Government’s management, especially in improving business and investment environment, and managing macro-economy.

They all committed to working closely with the Vietnamese Government to carry out its major policies, including building e-Government and developing digital economy.

Judy Hsu, CEO of Singapore’s Standard Chartered in ASEAN and South Asia said the bank, which has operated in Vietnam for 15 years, pledged to continue to promote stronger cooperation in the country.

She added that the State Bank of Vietnam recently allowed Standard Chartered to open its 4th branch in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meanwhile, Simon Milner, Facebook's Vice President for Public Policy in Asia Pacific, said his firm wants to join the implementation of the Vietnamese Government’s vision on digital country in the fields of digital citizen, digital economy, digital Government and digital connection.

Giving recommendations on policies for Vietnam to maintain a high growth in the coming time, Yasuo Tanabe, Senior Vice President of Hitachi - the firm that is participating in a metro project in HCM City, stressed the need for Vietnam to develop infrastructure, digital economy and digital commerce.

At the same time, representatives from Thai Beverage (Thaibev) of Thailand said the group invested about US$5 billion in Sai Gon Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Corporation (Sabeco) of Vietnam, and expressed the belief in Vietnam’s strong economic growth prospect. The group pledged to promote Sabeco brand name to the world.

President and CEO of the General Electric (GE) Company Alex Dimitrief, for his part, said that his business has some 300,000 staff working across the five continents, including 2,000 in Vietnam.

GE has provided equipment for Vietnam to generate power and upgrade thousands of power transmission lines. About 55 percent of the Vietnamese hospitals use at least one technology of the company, he said, adding that Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air have already bought jet engines of the firm.

Lauding GE for its commitment to land long-term investment in Vietnam, PM Phuc said that GE has made significant contributions to the Vietnam-US relations.

He told the guests that Vietnam has ordered 200 airplanes from the US, with 200 engines produced by GE.

Lauding GE’s construction of large plants in Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, the PM said the move is significant to balance trade between Vietnam and the US.

The Vietnamese Government leader affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to foreign investors, and is making constant efforts to better business climate to facilitate foreigners landing investment and expanding business in the country.