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Oct 28, 2016 / 10:53

Vietnam, Netherlands cooperate in building sustainable business models

The Netherlands would give priority to promoting sustainability and inclusiveness in expanding trade and investment ties with Vietnam, Marten van den Berg, Vice Minister for Foreign Trade, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at the “Building Sustainable Business Models in Vietnam" seminar held in HCM City on October 25.

A Dutch business delegation from 34 companies and knowledge institutions led by Marten van den Berg, Vice Minister for Foreign Trade, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, paid a visit to Vietnam from October 24-25. 
The representatives of Dutch companies were from a wide range of sectors – aviation to agri-food and renewable energy to maritime infrastructure.
In Hanoi, on October 24 before leaving for HCM City, the delegation had signed an MoU under which 10 Dutch aviation and airport companies will support the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam and Vietnamese airlines, airports and service providers.
It is aimed at developing a roadmap to make Vietnam a regional hub for both passenger and cargo services.
At present, trade between Vietnam and the Netherlands is growing steadily. Last year exports from Vietnam increased by 42%, and exports from the Netherlands, by 37%.
Vietnam’s exports were worth 4.7 billion USD and imports, 691 million USD.
The Netherlands is Vietnam’s second largest trade partner in the European Union and the largest EU investor in Vietnam.
A Dutch business delegation ended a visit to Vietnam on October 25.
A Dutch business delegation ended a visit to Vietnam on October 25.
Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam, Nienke Trooster, said: “Vietnam is an economic priority country for the Netherlands. The large business delegation accompanying our vice minister for foreign trade shows Dutch businesses see further potential for growth.”
In HCM City, the Dutch delegation attended a seminar on October 25 titled “Building Sustainable Business Models in Vietnam” together with several leading Dutch and Vietnamese companies like FrieslandCampina, Unilever, Heineken, and Vingroup, considered pioneers in building sustainable business models in the country.
An interactive discussion enabled participants to question and debate with policymakers, business leaders and representatives of international organisations on how to overcome challenges in developing sustainable businesses.
“We see a clear interest on the Vietnamese side to work together 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,” Vice Minister van den Berg said.
The Netherlands would give priority to promoting sustainability and inclusiveness in expanding trade and investment ties with Vietnam, the Vice Minister said.
Promoting sustainability and inclusiveness is the basis for a full-fledged campaign run by the Netherlands Embassy in Vietnam called “Tomorrow is Green”.
The Dutch consul in HCM City, Simon van der Burg, said: “With Tomorrow is Green, we promote co-operation between the Dutch and Vietnamese business communities and authorities to be sustainable, and keep this planet in good shape for ourselves and for future generations.”
The visitors signed several MoUs related to education, vaccines, agriculture and light industry.