Vietnam-Germany joint committee on economic cooperation holds first meeting

The first meeting of the Vietnam-Germany Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation was held online on January 12, during which participants discussed the cooperation possibilities in industry and trade, manufacturing-processing, energy, and education-training.
Vietnam-Germany joint committee on economic cooperation holds first meeting ảnh 1A view of the first meeting of the Vietnam-Germany Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation (Photo: moit.gov.vn)
Hanoi (VNA)- The first meeting of the Vietnam-Germany Joint Committee for EconomicCooperation was held online on January 12, during which participants discussedthe cooperation possibilities in industry and trade, manufacturing-processing,energy, and education-training.

Addressing the event, Minister of Industry andTrade Tran Tuan Anh said that Vietnam attaches great importance to its strategicpartnership with Germany and hopes to further facilitate bilateral economic,trade, and industry cooperation.

The ministry has workedto provide optimal conditions for foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs),especially those from Germany, to operate in Vietnam, he said, as they are an importantfactor in the country’s economic growth.

He expressed an interestin expanding cooperation in energy with the German side, not only intraditional and renewable energy but also in the reserving and transmission ofpower, as well as in ensuring power security and distribution in a balanced,suitable, and economic manner.

Regarding industrial cooperation,Minister Anh suggested that the German side continue to provide favourableconditions for Vietnamese enterprises to engage more deeply in the productionchains for components and accessories of major German firms, thus contributingto promoting the supporting industry and creating a sustainable foundation for Vietnam’sindustrial sector.

He also proposed thatGermany support Vietnam in forming a centre for digital transformation in production,which would help it seize opportunities presented by Industry 4.0.

For his part, GermanMinister of Economic Affairs and EnergyPeter Altmaier said that Vietnam is a priority for Germany, and he pledgedthat the country would give full assistance to effective implementation intrade and industry with Vietnam, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement(EVFTA), thus boosting bilateral ties.

The EVFTA is amechanism that helps businesses on both sides penetrate more deeply into eachother’s market, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has pushed bothsides to work harder for economic recovery.

The ministers agreedthat, in the future, the two sides will continue applying the Fast Trackmechanism to deal with obstacles facing businesses on both sides moreeffectively.

Concluding the meeting,the two ministers signed the minutes of the meeting and agreed on a time for thesecond meeting of the committee in 2022.

The Vietnam-GermanyJoint Committee for Economic Cooperation was set up following an agreementsigned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Germany’s Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Itaims to realise the economic partnership between the two countries and lift tiesto a higher level while making them more practical, thus supporting businesses onboth sides.

Within the framework of the meeting, talks wereheld to discuss cooperation opportunities, especially in energy, digitaltransformation, and manufacturing-processing.

Germany is Vietnam’s largesttrade partner in Europe and consumes 19 percent of its exports to the EU whilealso serving as a gateway to other European markets.

Vietnam, meanwhile, ranks24th out of 144 goods providers of Germany, and 78th among 144importers of the country.

Figures from the General Department of VietnamCustoms show that as of the end of November, two-way trade stood at 9.08billion USD, with Vietnam’s exports reaching 6.05 billion USD, up 0.5 percentyear-on-year.

Germany had also investedin 378 projects in Vietnam as of that time, with total capital of over 2.2billion USD, ranking it 17th out of 139 countries and territoriesinvesting in the country. German projects are mostly inmanufacturing-processing, technical services, information and communications, andbanking and insurance./.

VNA

See more

Shoppers at Winmart (Photo: VNA)

National brand programme drives Vietnamese corporate competitiveness

Vietnam’s national brand value reached 462.28 billion USD in 2026, up 45.14% from 2020 and ranking 32nd among 193 countries, according to Brand Finance. The challenge, however, goes beyond climbing the rankings or scaling up. It is turning those gains into lasting competitiveness and getting Vietnamese firms deeper into global value chains.

Loading and unloading steel products at Hoang Dieu–Chua Ve Port, Hai Phong city (Photo: VNA)

Hai Phong city seeks to boost inland waterway transport

According to the Hai Phong Maritime Administration, inland waterways carry coal, agricultural products, ores, stone, cement and other bulk cargoes, helping ease pressure on roads, particularly those connecting seaports and industrial parks.

Speakers at the conference (from left): AVPI Advisory Board Chair Dr Le Thu Huong, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird, and Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney Nguyen Thanh Tung. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Australia turn momentum into practical cooperation

Vietnam and Australia should focus on promoting two-way investment, expanding cooperation linked to APEC 2027 and making better use of people-to-people connections. Vietnam needs capital, skills, technology, infrastructure, and energy transition expertise - areas where Australia could offer valuable support.

The interface of the National E-Procurement System. (Photo: muasamcong.mpi.gov.vn)

Vietnam to move PPP bidding online from 2027

From January 1, 2027, PPP project proposals must be submitted through the National E-Procurement System. From September 1, 2027, investor selection for PPP projects tendered through open bidding will move fully online.

An automated robot-based production line at CAYI Technology Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Yen Phong II-C Industrial Park, Bac Ninh city (Photo: VNA)

EuroCham: Business Confidence Index in Vietnam remains high at 78.3 in Q3

The survey found that 64% of respondents described their current business conditions as good or very good, while 28% maintained a neutral or cautious outlook, reflecting a wait-and-see attitude as international demand remains flat and businesses look for policy momentum to translate into faster procedures and more predictable outcomes.

Workers manufacture handheld power tools at the Keystone Electrical Vietnam factory in Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park, Thai Thuy commune, Hung Yen province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks to turn FDI inflows into domestic value added

Vietnam is shifting its FDI attraction strategy from expanding investment volumes to prioritising capital inflows that brings technology, knowledge, modern management practices and stronger links with domestic businesses, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), chips and renewable energy.

At Yadea Vietnam’s smart manufacturing plant in Tan Hung Industrial Park, Bac Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ties FDI incentives to local supplier commitments

Incentives will increasingly hinge on investors’ performance and commitments, not just on landing projects. Key commitments include transferring technology to Vietnamese firms, training workers, providing technical support and opening FDI supply chains to domestic companies.

Green SM has launched all-electric taxi service in the US. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Green SM launches all-electric taxi service in US

The move brings Green SM into one of the world’s most dynamic and demanding markets. It also marks another step in the international expansion of the Vietnamese mobility brand, following its rapid growth across markets in Asia and Europe.

An overview of the meeting between IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam strengthens financial cooperation at IMF-World Bank annual meetings

The Vietnamese Governor underscored the complementary roles of global and regional financial cooperation mechanisms, including the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) and the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). He also highlighted the importance of technical assistance in fintech, digital transformation, cybersecurity and risk management.

Representatives of the organising committee at the opening ceremony of the fair (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Cambodia trade expo promotes bilateral economic cooperation

The Vietnam-Cambodia Business Networking and Product Promotion Exposition has become a key trade promotion event, creating business and investment opportunities while strengthening mutual understanding and trust between the two countries’ armies, people and enterprises.