Vietnamese economists and entrepreneurs in Switzerland have gathered at a seminar to swap information on cooperation and investment opportunities in trade, education, science – technology and tourism between Vietnam and Switzerland.

At the seminar held in on December 18 by the Vietnamese embassy in Switzerland , Ambassador Nguyen The Phiet affirmed that his diplomatic staff is willing to provide updated information on socio-economic situation and policies of Vietnam to assist overseas Vietnamese in doing business in Vietnam.

Giving an overview on Vietnam’s economy in 2012, Counsellor Luong Manh Hung said that the country’s economic growth rate this year is expected to stand at 5.2 percent, with per capita GDP of 1,540 USD.

Pham Nam Kim, a Vietnamese finance-banking expert working in Switzerland, recommended that Vietnam should shield their economic achievements amid the global economic difficulties to reassure foreign investors in the long-term.

Sharing his view, Minh Tri Amacher, General Director of the Switzerland – based TRISTAR Consulting Ltd, said that legal corridor, infrastructure and educational standards of local people including foreign language command are three crucial factors in boosting trade and attracting foreign investment.

Cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland in the past years has experienced swift development thanks to the signing of a number of Memoranda of Understanding on finance, banking and education.

Swiss investors have poured almost 2 billion USD into 91 projects in Vietnam, ranking fourth among European countries and 19th among all foreign investors present in the Southeast Asian country.-VNA