European businesses, especially those from the Netherlands , are increasingly showing interest in Vietnam ’s emerging economy, said a Dutch trade official.

The remark was made by Chairman of the Netherlands-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce Van Gulick in a meeting between Dutch entrepreneurs and representatives of the Vietnamese embassy in the Netherlands on Feb. 25.

The number of Dutch businesses registering to become members of the Chamber has doubled over the past three years, Gulick elaborated.

The annual meeting was held by the Netherlands Council for Trade Promotion to update Dutch businesses on Vietnam ’s new trade and investment policies and help them seek business opportunities in the country. It drew the participation of major Dutch conglomerates, namely ABN Amro and ING banks, and Damen, HME, Smit International, Lion Shipping and STC, operating in shipbuilding and port services.

In the meeting, STC Chairman Erik Hietbrink disclosed that his group is expanding operations in Vietnam and has helped train hundreds of Vietnamese shipbuilders./.