“I hope that through the EVFTA, many small and medium enterprises will come to Vietnam,” said Ms. Ann Måwe, Ambassador of Sweden to Vietnam at a recent meeting with Mr. Pham Tan Cong, President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). She said that Vietnam and Sweden established diplomatic relations in 1969. The two countries have actively fostered cooperation in many fields such as trade, health care, education, communication, environment. Many businesses of the two countries have also set up close cooperation relationships.

Ambassador Ann Måwe highly appreciated the cooperation with VCCI over the years, especially in anti-corruption, in organizing bilateral conferences and forums such as the Vietnam - Sweden Business Summit, activities within the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and in supporting business cooperation between the two countries.

According to Ambassador Ann Måwe, the Vietnam - European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has opened up many opportunities for economic cooperation and investment between Vietnam and Sweden. Many major Swedish enterprises and corporations are doing very effective business in Vietnam, including Ericsson, Volvo, ABB, IKEA, Tetra Pak. Ambassador Ann Måwe hoped that in the coming time, more Swedish medium-sized enterprises will come to Vietnam to invest, and many Vietnamese companies will increase business ties with Swedish partners and export more to Sweden.

Businesses of the two countries can promote cooperation in green and renewable energy, focusing on technology development and promoting sustainable business solutions, she added.

VCCI President Pham Tan Cong appreciated the cooperation between the Swedish Embassy and VCCI over the past time, and emphasized that Sweden and Vietnam have established good relations for many years. and there is still much room to further develop bilateral trade relations, especially in the context that the EVFTA has come into effect.

VCCI President Pham Tan Cong was pleased that many prestigious and long-standing Swedish enterprises have been successful in business in Vietnam, and wished to further promote business cooperation of the two sides by taking advantage of the EVFTA and CCTPP.

 “Sweden has strengths in environmental issues and renewable energy, so I hope you will support us by bringing technology, expertise and investment into this field,” said Mr. Pham Tan Cong.

Currently, VCCI is developing the Green Index and the 16th edition of the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI).  “We have developed Green Index to recommend that provinces pay more attention to environmental issues. However, we still lack experience, resources and human resources in this regard. Therefore, it would be great if you could support to further raise the awareness of businesses about the importance of environmental issues,” added VCCI President Cong.