Vietnam has remained the top choice in Southeast Asia for German businesses as the country possesses many competitive edges, including a fast-expanding economy and a government committed to opening up, according to a recent survey by the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad.Up to 55% of German companies in Vietnam intend to expand their activities in Vietnam in the next 12 months, higher than an average of 44% in Southeast Asia and 52% recorded in the previous survey, according to the findings of the AHK World Business Outlook that were released last week.
Overview of Vietnam’s result – AHK World Business Outlook Index 2019
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Other results show that German businesses operating in Vietnam have significantly higher expectations for their own business situation and future business than in 2018.
According to the survey, 77% rate their current business situation in Vietnam as good and 3% as poor, compared to 56% and 4% in 2018, respectively. In addition, 67% of German companies are upbeat about economic development of Vietnam in the mid-term, while the rate for ASEAN is 42% and 52% in Vietnam in 2018.
Source: AHK WBO
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That might be the reason that German business leaders in Vietnam maintain positive view with the economic expectation as well as with their situation in Vietnam and they look forward to a bright 2019 and 2020,” said the report.
Marko Walde, chief representative of the German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam (GIC).
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Concerns remain
The survey pointed out that half of the companies (51%) consider conditions regarding the economic policy framework the greatest risk for their businesses in Vietnam. Meanwhile, 44% are worried about the lack of qualified workers.
Conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), domestic and international demand as well as the political stability have very high influence for the German engagement in Vietnam in terms of market supply and demand as well as economic environment.
Another factors that might affect German businesses in Vietnam are corruption, lack of skilled workers, a rise in labor costs, disadvantages due to trade barriers, legal uncertainty, and cost of energy, electricity and gas.
German companies in Vietnam find it quite difficult to find the technical qualified staff with both university and vocational level.
Recommendations
Therefore, GIC recommends the government support domestic businesses in order to enhance their competitiveness and to ensure the sustainable development, because they are seen as a backbone of the economy in Vietnam.
Building and developing domestic supporting industries, typical industrial clusters with advantages according to various regions can help to create the collaborate opportunities among domestic and foreign businesses, the survey suggested.
The GIC also recommended developing a practice-oriented vocational education system with the opportunities learning by doing will help to build a new skilled generation with profound knowledge, practical and communicative skills. “This is a competitive advantage of Vietnam which can assure the sustainable development in the long run.”
In addition, building a fruitful and creative ecosystem for startups as well as providing financial, educational and environmental assistances will give domestic startup companies, small and medium sized businesses the ability to reach foreign investors and modern technology.
