HCM CITY – A Dutch business delegation with executives from 34 companies and knowledge institutions led by Vice Minister for Foreign Trade of the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marten van den Berg ended a two-day visit to Việt Nam yesterday.

The companies represented in the delegation were from a wide range of sectors – aviation to agri-food and renewable energy to maritime infrastructure.

In HCM City, the visitors took part in a seminar yesterday titled “Building Sustainable Business Models in Việt Nam” 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,” van den Berg said.

The Netherlands would give priority to promoting sustainability and inclusiveness in expanding trade and investment ties with Việt Nam, he said.

Promoting sustainability and inclusiveness is the basis for a full-fledged campaign run by the Netherlands embassy in Việt Nam 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.”

A roundtable discussion on “Food security development” in Việt Nam considered the country’s food security situation and what is needed to improve it.

The visitors signed several MoUs related to education, vaccines, agriculture and light industry.

In Hà Nội, a day 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 Việt Nam and Vietnamese airlines, airports and service providers.

It is aimed at developing a roadmap to make the country a regional hub for both passenger and cargo services.

Trade between the two nations is growing steadily. Last year exports from Việt Nam increased by 42 per cent, and exports from the Netherlands, by 37 per cent.

Việt Nam’s exports were worth US$4.7 billion and imports, $691 million.

The Netherlands is Việt Nam’s second largest trade partner in the European Union and the largest EU investor in Việt Nam.

Dutch ambassador to Việt Nam, Nienke Trooster, said: “Việt Nam 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.” -- VNS