Representatives of a number of Norwegian companies have said that they would be willing to pour more money into Vietnam if the government ensures a fair and equal business environment. 
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets with Norwegian firms in Oslo. Photo: VGP
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Morten Fon said at a working session between half a dozen of Norwegian companies and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during his visit to Norway on May 24-26.
In turn, PM Phuc said that a government of integrity and constructive accountability stresses its attention on creating a fair, equal, and transparent business environment.
Phuc affirmed in a statement that Vietnam treats all economic players equally without managerial favoritism and values foreign direct investment. Vietnam keeps the investment environment more open and it has greatly contributed to the high economic growth over the past years, he said.
President and CEO at Kongsberg Gruppen ASA Geir Haoy said at the meeting that Vietnam appears as an attractive destination for foreign investors with fast and stable growth.
Big deals in the pipeline
At the working session, PM Phuc met with representatives of leading Norwegian firms namely Kongsberg, DVL-GL, Pharmaq, Vard, Juton, and Scatec Solar.
The PM highly appreciated ideas contributed by the firms, saying that their advanced technologies-based operations in Vietnam are good for the country’s sustainable growth and expecting the establishment of a “Made in Norway” manufacturing hub in Vietnam – the country of 100 million people.
Jotun Corp is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of paints and powder coatings. Its Jotun Paints (Vietnam) Co., Ltd started operating in Vietnam in 1994. Its accumulated revenues are about US$120 million so far. President and CEO of Jotun Group Morten Fon said at the meeting that the company plans to build in the next two years another manufacturing plant costing US$100 million in Ho Chi Minh City, which is about 40 km from the current factory, which is located in Binh Duong province.
During the visit, PM Phuc took a trip to Kongsberg leading provider of hybrid technology in the offshore and marine vessel segments. The company has been awarded a significant offshore Integrated Monitoring and Control System contract to vessels of 13,000 tons in Vietnam.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and CEO of PHARMAQ Morten Nordstad. Photo: VGP
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Activities will include vaccination training and close collaboration with the farmers during and after vaccination.
“By the introduction of ALPHA JECT® Panga 1 we have reached a great milestone in the history of PHARMAQ and taken another step to strengthen our presence in the global fish health market. Our activities in Vietnam are an essential part of our strategy in exploring the potential of the Asian aquaculture industry”, said Morten Nordstad, CEO of PHARMAQ.
At the meeting with PM Phuc, Morten Nordstad said the company plans to produce more vaccines for tra fish, conduct more trial injections for aquatic creatures, and boost technological transfer to Vietnamese partners.
Besides a research and development (R&D) establishment located in Oslo, PHARMAQ is running another R&D base and some laboratories in Vietnam. Since 2018, the company has vaccinated more than 80 million pangasius in Vietnam.
The vaccination has helped avoid the use of antibiotics in aquaculture in the Mekong delta, improving quality of pangasius, heading towards the sustainable development.
In Oslo, Vietnamse PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Norwegian counterpart Erna Solberg held a joint press briefing in which they agreed to take drastic measures for further trade, especially cooperation in maritime economy and sustainable maritime management.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Norwegian PM Erna Solberg. Photo: VGP
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