HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc hosted a dialogue on Wednesday with about 20 leaders of multinational corporations, who are in Việt Nam to attend the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 (WEF ASEAN 2018).

At the dialogue, the Vietnamese leader wanted to know what investors expect from the Vietnamese Government and which of them are willing to expand investment in Việt Nam.

He asked the participants to talk about issues of their interest and the biggest concerns they have while operating in the country, and called on investors to contribute ideas to help Việt Nam make breakthroughs in its development in both the short and long term.

Speaking at the dialogue, the CEOs praised the Vietnamese Government’s management, especially in improving the business and investment environment, and managing the macro-economy.

They all committed to working closely with the Vietnamese Government to carry out major policies, including building e-Government and developing a digital economy.

Judy Hsu, CEO ASEAN and South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, said the bank, which has operated in Việt Nam for 115 years, pledged to promote stronger co-operation in the country.

She added that the State Bank of Việt Nam recently allowed Standard Chartered to open its 4th branch in HCM City.

Meanwhile, Simon Milner, Facebook’s vice president for Public Policy in Asia Pacific, said his firm wanted to help the implementation of the Vietnamese Government’s vision of a digital country in terms of digital citizens, digital economy, digital Government and digital connections.

Giving recommendations on policies for Việt Nam to maintain high growth, Yasuo Tanabe, senior vice president of Hitachi – a firm participating in a metro project in HCM City – stressed the need for Việt Nam to develop infrastructure, digital economy and digital commerce.

At the same time, representatives from Thai Beverage (Thaibev) of Thailand said the group invested about US$5 billion in Sài Gòn Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (Sabeco) of Việt Nam, and expressed belief in Việt Nam’s prospects. The group pledged to promote the Sabeco brand around the world.

President and CEO of the General Electric (GE) Company Alex Dimitrief, for his part, said his business has some 300,000 staff working across five continents, including 2,000 in Việt Nam.

GE has provided equipment for Việt Nam to generate power and upgrade thousands of power transmission lines. About 55 per cent of Vietnamese hospitals use at least one piece of technology from the company, he said, adding that Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air have bought jet engines from the firm.

Lauding GE for its commitment to long-term investment in Việt Nam, PM Phúc said GE has made significant contributions to Việt Nam-US relations.

He told the guests Việt Nam has ordered 200 airplanes from the US, with 200 engines produced by GE.

On GE’s construction of large plants in HCM City and Hải Phòng, the PM said the move will help balance trade between Việt Nam and the US.

The Vietnamese Government leader affirmed Việt Nam attaches great importance to foreign investors, and is making efforts to improve the business climate to help foreigners invest and expand in the country. — VNS