Sydney (VNA) – The Auckland Business Chamber launched the New Zealand – Vietnam Business Council (NZVBC) on January 28, a move expected to contribute to the two countries' business links.
The event was organised with the coordination and support of the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnam Trade Office in New Zealand.
Addressing the ceremony, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Simon Bridges described the establishment of the NZVBC as an important milestone for New Zealand’s business community and a meaningful contribution to the shared prosperity of both countries.
Highlighting Vietnam as a large and dynamic market of more than 106 million people and one of the fastest-growing economies in ASEAN, Bridges stressed that the council will strive to provide practical market insights and build trusted networks to narrow the gap between strategy and action, thereby delivering tangible benefits to businesses of both sides.
At the event, participants were provided with an overview of the NZVBC, which is committed to promoting effective cooperation and generating concrete benefits for its member enterprises while working closely with partners to organise forums, conferences, and business dialogues on trade and investment promotion, technology sharing and transfer, digital transformation, and e-commerce.
A representative of the council noted that the NZVBC will soon become fully operational and move towards launching cooperation programmes, organising business delegations to Vietnam, hosting trade and investment promotion events, and building in-depth networks by industry and field. In addition, it will bring together enterprises with hands-on experience in the Vietnamese market to provide advisory support and help businesses make well-informed decisions tailored to specific business models.
Speaking at the launch, Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Phan Minh Giang welcomed the establishment of the NZVBC, saying it meets the practical needs and aspirations of the business communities in both countries.
He emphasised that the move is a timely and important contribution to the joint efforts of Vietnam and New Zealand to effectively implement their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was set up in 2025.
On this occasion, the ambassador reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Government remains committed to creating favourable conditions for New Zealand businesses and investors to pursue effective and sustainable investment and business activities in Vietnam.
He also underlined the readiness of the Vietnamese Embassy and its Trade Office to accompany and support the countries' enterprises in enhancing exchanges, exploring cooperation opportunities, and strengthening the role of business associations and chambers of commerce, including the Auckland Business Chamber and the NZVBC, in facilitating direct business-to-business connections.
Prior to the launch, Giang and representatives of the Trade Office held a working session with Simon Bridges, during which both sides underscored the importance of the NZVBC and discussed orientations and coordination measures for future cooperation./.
