Big and small Swedish companies are seeking opportunities to invest in energy efficiency projects and promote the use of clean technologies in Vietnam as part of efforts to contribute the nation’s environmental protection.

In his recent talks with the Dau Tu (Investment) Review, the Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam, Rolf Bergman mentioned ABB, Ericsson, and Munters Groups as among those companies.

These groups are searching for potential partners for projects involving energy efficiency, clean development mechanism (CDM), and purchase of the rights to CO2 emission and technology transfer.

They are also eager for the promotion of renewable energy-related solutions applicable for the cement, mechanical engineering, oil refinery, mining and mineral ore processing industries in Vietnam, according to the Ambassador.

He also named the Tricorona Company and the Vattenfall Power Consultants which are keen on the provision of technical, management and environment consultancy services.

The Elof Hanson, Getinge, ITT Water and Wastewaterm Flexus Bakasystem AB have shown their interest in technologies for the treatment of waste water and solid waste as well as the development of water supply and drainage system in Vietnam .

According to Ambassador Bergman, there are Swedish companies which want to engage in raising the people and businesses’ awareness of environmental protection and use of clean technologies in Vietnam .

They include Tetra Pak Vietnam, the ICLD, and SkeriNova Holding AB, which showed eagerness to come up with consultancy services, training and technological assistance in the field.

For the Swedish companies that have been operating in Vietnam for long like IKEA, UMA, and Hifab International, they have already worked out plans to apply friendly environmental technologies in their production expansion strategies, the Ambassador to the paper.

According to the Ambassador, the Swedish Government has made the environmental protection a priority in a development cooperation agreement signed with Vietnam recently.

Accordingly, programmes on environmental protection, together with the fight against corruption, and plans to tackle climate change, will receive the Swedish Government’s funding of at least 250 million kronor (equivalent to 36 million USD) for implementation./.