UK firms eye investing in health care in Vietnam

The UK – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), which will take effect on May 1, is expected to open up opportunities for UK health care companies to navigate the Vietnamese market.
UK firms eye investing in health care in Vietnam ảnh 1Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The UK – Vietnam Free TradeAgreement (UKVFTA), which will take effect on May 1, is expected to open upopportunities for UK health care companies to navigate the Vietnamese market.

UK Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Emily Hamblin said 99percent of tariff will be waived in the next six years thanks to the deal.

She added that the UK has taken advantage of digitaltransformation to expand public access to quality health care services in anequitable manner, in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable DevelopmentGoal No.3 regarding health and welfare.

In the first stage of digital transformation, Vietnam hasmany opportunities from making use of creative solutions from the UK, she said.

Chairman and General Director of the AstraZeneca Vietnam NitinKapoor spoke highly of the UKVFTA deal for helping millions of Vietnamesepatients access advanced and quality medicines.

He highlighted the significance of the agreement whenVietnam and the UK are looking toward a strategic partnership in the nextdecade and closer cooperation in health care.

Last year, Real Capital London launched the Hong Anh MedicalCampus project in Ho Chi Minh City, which is expected to serve as a modernhealth care system, with a 462-bed hospital, a medical training centre, generalclinics, pharmacies, accommodations and a nursing home for the elderly.

The project is divided into four stages, with two finalstages scheduled for completion before 2030.

To date, UK investors have poured 3.87 billion USD into over400 projects in Vietnam, becoming the 15th biggest investor in thecountry.

According to Hamblin, Vietnam – UK trade grew by 12 percenton average annually in the past decade. Via the UKVFTA, UK service providersare able to better access the Vietnamese market.

Sharing the same view, Executive Chairman of the GrantThornton Vietnam and a board member of the British Chamber of Commerce inVietnam Kenneth Atkinson noted that the UKVFTA is one of the first deals signedand joined by the UK following its Brexit last year.

He also hoped that less barriers will attract more UK firmsto Vietnam, especially in health care./.
VNA

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