AstraZeneca commits to helping Vietnam improve healthcare capabilities

AstraZeneca is committed to expanding investment into Vietnam’s healthcare capabilities and training human resources.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and General Director of AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot. Source: VGP

Chief executive officer of AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot said at a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 31.

Soriot noted Vietnam holds a special place in his heart, adding this visit is aimed at deepening the cooperation with Vietnam.

He expressed his impression of the country’s efforts in pursuing the dual target of both containing the pandemic and boosting socio-economic recovery, showing the high quality of corporate governance and leadership of the Vietnamese Government.

According to Soriot, AstraZeneca plans to expand its presence in Vietnam, for which the company would closely cooperate with the Vietnamese Government in enhancing healthcare capability and developing the pharmaceutical industry.

AstraZeneca stands ready to transfer technologies of vaccine production for Vietnam, he continued.

For his part, Prime Minister Chinh welcomed Soriot back to Vietnam after 25 years to witness the country’s development. He noted Vietnam’s recent achievements, especially in the Covid-19 response, were thanks to the support of countries and organizations in vaccine supply.

“The Vietnamese Government and people would never forget the valuable sharing and support of AstraZeneca,” he added.

Chinh said Vietnam has effectively contained the pandemic and opened for international tourism since March 15.

“The success in the Covid-19 fight was based on three pillars, namely quarantine, testing, and treatment,” Chinh said.

The successful organization of SEAGames 31 in Vietnam, the largest regional sports event, is a showcase of the victory of the whole region against the pandemic, he said.

On this occasion, Chinh welcomed AstraZeneca's decision to invest US$90 million in a pharmaceutical project in Vietnam, saying that Vietnam seeks to strengthen cooperation with the pharmaceutical producer for a strategic partnership in the production of vaccines and other drugs, along with the exchange of experiences in human resource training and management.

The prime minister also called for AstraZeneca to assist Vietnam in realizing the net-zero carbon emission target by 2050.

“AstraZeneca’s development strategy is in line with the vision of Vietnam of protecting public health and sustainable development. The strengthening partnership, therefore, is inevitable after 25 years of cooperation,” he said.

Soriot in response said the company is investing $400 million in forest plantations in countries around the world to have one billion trees globally by 2026.

He expected this project would soon be carried out in Vietnam and contribute to the country’s efforts in green growth.