A workshop on investment in Vietnam, held in the Netherlands on March 12, attracted more than 60 enterprises from both countries.

Participants to the workshop were treated to a presentation on Vietnam’s business environment, focussing on recent developments since Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Tjeert Kwan, CEO of ECC, a real estate developer, gave a talk on why his company is investing in the Promenade supermarket chain in the southern province of Binh Duong and some other provinces in Vietnam.

He also called on enterprises from the Netherlands to seek business opportunities in Vietnam, especially in real estate and retail sales.

Vietnamese ambassador to the Netherlands Ha Huy Thong briefed attendees on the development of economic ties between the two countries.

The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973. Since then, bilateral ties have been developed increasingly, reaching nearly 2 billion USD in 2009.

The Netherlands is Vietnam’s top EU investor, with a total investment of nearly 2.8 billion USD and a disbursement rate of more than 80 percent.

Right after the workshop, jointly held by the Vietnam International Trade Centre and PricewaterhouseCoopers, a number of Dutch businesses registered to visit Vietnam to seek opportunities in May and November this year.

On March 13, Anmia city’s Mayor Annemarie Jorritsma received the Vietnamese delegation, saying that she plans to visit Vietnam in the near future with the hope of enhancing relations with the Southeast Asian country./.