Swiss businesses encouraged to invest in Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam welcomes investors from Switzerland, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.

He made the remark while receiving State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and Director of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, in Hanoi on October 11.

The PM affirmed that Vietnam will create the best conditions for foreign investors, including those from Switzerland to do business, especially in the fields of finance, banking, insurance, high technology, medicine, processing industry, and tourism.

He highly valued Switzerland and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) for recognising Vietnam ’s market economy status in July 2012.

Switzerland is expected to support the involved parties to push ahead with negotiations to reach a balanced and high-standard free trade agreement, which will weigh the mutual benefits and development gaps between Vietnam and EU members, he said.

He thanked Switzerland for prioritising the provision of official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam in 2013-2016, saying Vietnam pledges to use the capital effectively and hopes to receive more ODA from the European nation in 2017-2020 to carry out development target programmes.

The PM also proposed Switzerland share experience in developing high quality education, vocational training, and science technology while increasing scholarships for Vietnamese students.

For her part, Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch said she is accompanied by many representatives from big Swiss companies and that show their interests in Vietnam – an attractive investment market.

Vietnam has become one of the important partners of Switzerland in Asia, she said, adding that Vietnam is also a popular destination of Swiss tourists.

Promoting the FTA negotiations between Vietnam and the EU is also a purpose of her ongoing visit, she noted.-VNA