HÀ NỘI – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh yesterday praised the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) for being a bridge between the Government and the European business community.

The delegation meeting with the Deputy PM was led by Eurocham Chairman Michael Bahren. Also at the meeting were the Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Việt Nam and representatives of leading European enterprises doing business in Việt Nam.

Eurocham has also sucessfully acted as an advisory and supporting body for European enterprises in their development process in Việt Nam, Minh said.

He said EuroCham and the EU Delegation had also played a positive role in promoting economic ties between Việt Nam and European countries.

Minh appreciated EuroCham’s efforts in publishing its White Book on business and investment environment in Việt Nam.

He said the Vietnamese Government was determined to build a constructive Government to better serve the people and businesses, a Government of integrity, transparency and efficiency, one that says no to corruption, negativity and wastefulness.

Minh suggested that EuroCham and the EU Delegation in Việt Nam continues to stand beside the Vietnamese Government as it strives to become an attractive investment market.

Bahren affirmed EuroCham’s commitment to support and promote European businesses link with the Vietnamese economy.

He said publication of the White Book was an important activity of EuroCham in carrying out its commitment.

This is the 9th year that EuroCham is publishing the White Book which gathers evaluations, analysis and recommendations of the European business community about the investment and business climate in Viet Nam.

Bahren said a recent EuroCham survey of 950 members on the business environment in Vietnam found European investors optimistic about the Vietnamese market and wanting to continuously expand investment here.

One of the main factors for this optimism is that the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement would be signed and come into effect in 2018. He said EuroCham would actively support and accelerate the process of ratification of this agreement in the member states.

Bahren also thanked Vietnamese Government for maintaining dialogue with the foreign business community.

At the meeting, EuroCham outlined some orientations for activities in the coming period, including strengthening of links between Vietnamese localities and carrying out projects to promote European enterprises, including small- and medium-sized enterprises, to explore investment and business opportunities in Việt Nam. - VNS