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Vietnam, Netherlands Works Together Towards Green Transformation

The Netherlands committed to cooperate with Vietnam, and together find innovative and sustainable solutions to accelerate green economy transformation.

Administrator

29 November, 2022

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PM Pham Minh Chinh (right) welcomes Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher in HCM City on November 28. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher in Ho Chi Minh City on November 28, VNA reported.

Affirming that Vietnam always treasures the comprehensive partnership with the Netherlands, the host leader highlighted the recent strides in bilateral relations, especially in politics – diplomacy, trade – investment, climate change adaptation, water resource management, and sustainable agriculture.

He asked the two sides to continue with the effective implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, while enhancing result-oriented cooperation within the framework of the strategic partnership on climate change adaptation and water management, and the strategic partnership on sustainable agriculture and food security, which are pillars of the countries’ comprehensive partnership.

PM Chinh also recommended the Netherlands continue assisting Vietnam in climate change adaptation, green and sustainable agriculture development, biodiversity protection, and development of seaports, green economy, and tourism in the Mekong Delta.

The Netherlands remains the largest EU investor and the second biggest EU trading partner of Vietnam, he noted, calling for optimal conditions for commodities of Vietnam’s strength like farm produce, fishery products, and electronic devices to enter the Dutch and European markets.

He also expressed his hope that the Dutch parliament will ratify the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) early so as to create momentum and open up new opportunities for investment partnerships, supply chain diversification, and collaboration in green transition, digital transformation, and circular economy development.

PM Pham Minh Chinh and Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher in HCM City on November 28. Photo: VNA

For her part, Schreinemacher, now on an official visit to Vietnam and attending the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE) 2022, said her country attaches importance to the comprehensive partnership with Vietnam, and that it will continue standing side by side with the latter to further intensify bilateral cooperation in all spheres, particularly the priority areas of climate change adaptation, water resource management, environmental protection, sustainable agriculture, logistics services, and renewable energy.

The minister also highly valued Vietnam’s position in the region and advantages in terms of the workforce, which have facilitated partnerships between the countries’ enterprises to make full use of the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

On this occasion, PM Chinh thanked the Dutch Government for donating vaccine and medical supplies to help Vietnam surmount difficulties amid the Covid-19 pandemic for socio-economic recovery.

Minister Schreinemacher and PM Chinh visited the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition 2022 organised by EuroCham Vietnam in HCM City.

The same day, Minister Schreinemacher and PM Chinh visit the NL Pavilion, the largest national pavilion at Green Economy Forum and Exhibition 2022 in Ho Chi Minh City. Source: embassy in Vietnam

At the exhibition, hundreds of companies and organisations meet and exchange experience and solutions for green business opportunities.

In the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition 2022, the Netherlands has the largest country pavilion at GEFE, showcasing Dutch innovations and solutions to address climate and waste challenges in Vietnam, and at the same time, accelerate trade cooperation.

‘Vietnam is a dynamic and vibrant country with many opportunities for Dutch companies in the fields of agriculture, water and sustainable infrastructure. It’s good to see such a strong presence of Dutch companies here. Our bilateral ties are built on strong foundations going back nearly half a century. We will further promote sustainable trade relations to accelerate the crucial transformation to a green economy,” said Minister Schreinemacher.

Schreinemacher is paying a visit to Vietnam from November 28-30 with 50 Dutch companies active in water, logistics and circular economy.

This visit also celebrates the 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands (1973 – 2023).

Statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that during the second year of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement from August 2021 to July 2022, two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU hit USD 61.4 billion, up 11.9% from the first year. Of which, Vietnam’s exports reached USD 45 billion, up 17% with imports worth USD 16.4 billion, up 0.2%.

The EU is now the fifth biggest investor in Vietnam with total registered capital of USD 27.6 billion. In the first eight months of this year, the bloc registered a combined capital of USD 2.2 billion, up 69.6% annually with 104 new projects.

In the January-September period, despite fluctuations in the world situation, Vietnam-Netherlands two-way trade still reached nearly USD 8.3 billion, almost equivalent to the total figure recorded in the whole 2021, with Vietnam’s exports rising 40.1% to USD 7.8 billion.

Hannah Nguyen