Chambers of commerce join hands for cutting red tape

Businesses register for tariff codes. The Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and European Chamber of Commerce have agreed to join forces to promote administrative reforms to improve the business climate. — VNA/VNS Photo Hong Ky

HA NOI — The Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (Eurocham) agreed to foster co-operation in administrative procedures reform and boost business competitiveness, following an agreement inked between the two sides on Monday.

The co-operation between the two chambers was expected to improve the Vietnamese business environment in a move to better facilitate both domestic and foreign enterprises.

Under the two-year partnership agreement, Eurocham would supply VCCI with technical and financial assistance in administrative procedure reform.

The agreement would create more opportunities for experts and businesses to suggest how administrative procedures should be effectively improved, said VCCI vice chairman Pham Gia Tuc.

Through the Advisory Council of the Government's Administrative Procedures Reform Project or Project 30, Eurocham has made suggestions in a number of sectors in Viet Nam including tax, customs, pharmaceutical and retail. Project 30 is a plan to substantially reduce the costs and risks of administrative procedures via the simplification or abolition of unnecessary procedures.

Under Project 30, ministries and Government agencies reviewed 5,500 procedures, and proposed to eliminate 453, replace 288 and amend 3,749 to make things easier for citizens and businesses.

They estimated most ministries and agencies had met requests to cut the costs of administrative procedures by 30 per cent, equal to VND30 trillion (US$1.58 billion) per year. — VNS

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Business partners support competition reform

A partnership agreement called, “Corporate Alliance on Administrative
Procedures Reform and Competitiveness” was signed in Hanoi on October
12 by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the European
Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham).

In
announcing the agreement, the two organisations said they share a common
interest in promoting the business environment in Vietnam to
benefit businesses and stimulate economic growth.

The launch of the Corporate Alliance is a key step in providing a
platform to engage the private sector in building a strong network of
partners, mobilising resources to improve advocacy and support for
government-initiated administrative procedures reform, and improving
Vietnam ’s competitiveness at large.

“EuroCham
firmly believes in the power of partnerships and collaborative efforts
for a more competitive Vietnam and is fully committed to working
together with both government agencies and the corporate sector through
this initiative,” said Alain Cany, EuroCham Chairman.

VCCI and EuroCham will be the lead organisations in the alliance, and
other technical and corporate partners to provide business expertise,
financial resources and communications, he added.

Meanwhile, VCCI’s Vice Chairman Pham Gia Tuc said VCCI will work closely
with multinational corporations and national companies to identify,
design and implement alliance activities that leverage the strengths of
the corporate sector and improve Vietnam ’s business environment, and
especially its competitiveness.

Within the
framework of cooperation, EuroCham will provide professional knowledge,
resources and networks of members and partners at both national and
European Union levels.

The chamber will also
support government-initiated administrative reforms as a member of the
consultative council for administrative reforms, creating conditions for
cooperation between the alliance and EuroCham’s member businesses,
partners and European government institutions.

To
date, several EuroCham member companies have already committed to
supporting the alliance, including Holcim ( Vietnam ) Ltd., HSBC Bank (
Vietnam ) Ltd., FrieslandCampina Vietnam , GlaxoSmithKline Pte. Ltd.,
Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Ltd., Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam ,
Prudential Vietnam , Schneider Electronic Overseas Asia Pte. Ldt.,
Siemens Ltd. Vietnam , Standard Chartered Bank, Unilever Vietnam
and Sanofi-Aventies./.

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Spanish firms see Vietnam as good production base

Judith Padrós (L) of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce talks to Vietnamese guests at a networking event held here on Monday evening for Spanish delegates and their local counterparts - Photo: Mong Binh

HCMC – Many Spanish companies are looking for the opportunity to invest in Vietnam as they consider this market as an attractive base for both production and consumption, said the Spanish economic and commercial counselor in Vietnam.

Alberto Cerdán told the Daily that executives of some 30 Spanish companies operating in various business fields would participate in a major investment forum planned here in November this year.

Cerdán released the news as Spain’s Barcelona Chamber of Commerce in association with the Segovia and Gijon chambers of commerce is organizing a mission to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to explore new business opportunities and expand their presence in those markets.

The visiting delegation groups Spanish firms in agricultural equipment, project and consultancy services, perfume and aroma, cosmetics, timber products and services, hospital equipment, and waste water treatment among others.

“We are here, not only to sell our products and services but also to look to partnerships with local partners,” Judith Padrós at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, told the Daily at a networking event held in HCMC on Monday.

Cerdán elaborated that some of the Spanish businesses coming to Vietnam in November had already built factories in China, and they wanted to invest in production facilities to take full advantage of lower labor cost in this country and to expand their operations in Asia.

He explained competition in Europe was turning tougher so Spanish companies would gain an advantage in that market if they were able to make products with competitive prices, and Vietnam had emerged as a haven for them.

He confirmed Spanish enterprises were keen to turn out garments and footwear in Vietnam for export to Europe and the United States as well as for consumption in this market.

“They start to think about Vietnam as a market for both production and consumption. For that they need their footing in the region,” he said.

In addition to garment, footwear and fish products, Vietnam will be able to attract Spanish investors in areas of logistics, building materials, food additives, farming and pharmaceutical, according to the Spanish counselor.

Spain is also involved in the fifth subway line to be developed in HCMC. Cerdán said Idom Ingenieria Consultoria S.A. and its local partners had almost completed the feasibility study for the subway development funded by Spain’s ODA loans.

The fifth subway line will stretch 15 kilometers from Can Giuoc Coach Station in District 8 to the Saigon Bridge and the 6-kilometer-long sixth line will connect Ba Queo in Tan Binh District and Phu Lam in District 6. An initial plan envisaged around US$900 million for developing the first route and US$320 million for the latter.

In December last year, high-ranking officials of Spain and Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding under which the European country will provide up to 500 million euros (some US$674 million) for subway development in HCMC.

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Spanish firms see Vietnam as good production base

Judith Padrós (L) of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce talks to Vietnamese guests at a networking event held here on Monday evening for Spanish delegates and their local counterparts - Photo: Mong Binh

HCMC – Many Spanish companies are looking for the opportunity to invest in Vietnam as they consider this market as an attractive base for both production and consumption, said the Spanish economic and commercial counselor in Vietnam.

Alberto Cerdán told the Daily that executives of some 30 Spanish companies operating in various business fields would participate in a major investment forum planned here in November this year.

Cerdán released the news as Spain’s Barcelona Chamber of Commerce in association with the Segovia and Gijon chambers of commerce is organizing a mission to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to explore new business opportunities and expand their presence in those markets.

The visiting delegation groups Spanish firms in agricultural equipment, project and consultancy services, perfume and aroma, cosmetics, timber products and services, hospital equipment, and waste water treatment among others.

“We are here, not only to sell our products and services but also to look to partnerships with local partners,” Judith Padrós at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, told the Daily at a networking event held in HCMC on Monday.

Cerdán elaborated that some of the Spanish businesses coming to Vietnam in November had already built factories in China, and they wanted to invest in production facilities to take full advantage of lower labor cost in this country and to expand their operations in Asia.

He explained competition in Europe was turning tougher so Spanish companies would gain an advantage in that market if they were able to make products with competitive prices, and Vietnam had emerged as a haven for them.

He confirmed Spanish enterprises were keen to turn out garments and footwear in Vietnam for export to Europe and the United States as well as for consumption in this market.

“They start to think about Vietnam as a market for both production and consumption. For that they need their footing in the region,” he said.

In addition to garment, footwear and fish products, Vietnam will be able to attract Spanish investors in areas of logistics, building materials, food additives, farming and pharmaceutical, according to the Spanish counselor.

Spain is also involved in the fifth subway line to be developed in HCMC. Cerdán said Idom Ingenieria Consultoria S.A. and its local partners had almost completed the feasibility study for the subway development funded by Spain’s ODA loans.

The fifth subway line will stretch 15 kilometers from Can Giuoc Coach Station in District 8 to the Saigon Bridge and the 6-kilometer-long sixth line will connect Ba Queo in Tan Binh District and Phu Lam in District 6. An initial plan envisaged around US$900 million for developing the first route and US$320 million for the latter.

In December last year, high-ranking officials of Spain and Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding under which the European country will provide up to 500 million euros (some US$674 million) for subway development in HCMC.

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ICham becomes affiliate of EuroCham

Italy’s Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Damiano Francovigh (R) claps his hands when Alain Cany (L) of EuroCham and Tomaso Andreatta of ICham show the affiliation agreement after the signing in HCMC on Monday - Photo: Mong Binh

HCMC - The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICham) has become an affiliate of the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Vietnam under an agreement signed by the foreign business groups in HCMC on Monday.

Alain Cany, chairman of EuroCham Vietnam, said the affiliation agreement would enable Icham members to benefit from both Icham and EuroCham services.

“For ICham members, they are now able to access EuroCham’s broad variety of offers to our members, from events over lobbying to information and services,” he said after signing the agreement with ICham Chairman Tomaso Andreatta.

“Together, we can have a stronger voice and approach the Government to improve the business climate for all of us.”

Cany said the agreement was an important step for both EuroCham and Icham, as it marked EuroCham’s number of corporate members in Vietnam passed the threshold of more than 700. “This will make EuroCham one of the biggest and most influential chambers of commerce in the country.”

ICham Chairman Andreatta told the signing ceremony that becoming an integral part of EuroCham was the successful passing a key test about its maturity.

“It is only natural that ICham becomes an active and full member of EuroCham, which already represents all other Chambers of founding member states of the EC, and which is universally recognized as the leading lobbying and business interests catalyser in Vietnam,” Andreatta said.

Andreatta told the Daily after the signing that it was better for ICham to be under the same roof of EuroCham for its over 40 members, mostly Italian companies with a presence in Vietnam, to take full advantage of business opportunities in this market.

He said Vietnam was a small market for Italian companies but emphasized that it was an important production and service base for them to enter and expand operations in Southeast Asia.

Back in 2003, EuroCham adopted a strategy to enter into partnership agreements with national chambers of commerce in Vietnam. As a result, EuroCham received initial partners, namely the French Chamber of Commerce (CCIFV), the German Business Association (GBA) and the Dutch Business Association in that year.

The Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (BeluxCham) became part of EuroCham in 2006. The Spanish Country Committee also joined in June this year as a Country Committee, and Cany hoped they would be a business association very soon.

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ICham becomes affiliate of EuroCham

Italy’s Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Damiano Francovigh (R) claps his hands when Alain Cany (L) of EuroCham and Tomaso Andreatta of ICham show the affiliation agreement after the signing in HCMC on Monday - Photo: Mong Binh

HCMC - The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICham) has become an affiliate of the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Vietnam under an agreement signed by the foreign business groups in HCMC on Monday.

Alain Cany, chairman of EuroCham Vietnam, said the affiliation agreement would enable Icham members to benefit from both Icham and EuroCham services.

“For ICham members, they are now able to access EuroCham’s broad variety of offers to our members, from events over lobbying to information and services,” he said after signing the agreement with ICham Chairman Tomaso Andreatta.

“Together, we can have a stronger voice and approach the Government to improve the business climate for all of us.”

Cany said the agreement was an important step for both EuroCham and Icham, as it marked EuroCham’s number of corporate members in Vietnam passed the threshold of more than 700. “This will make EuroCham one of the biggest and most influential chambers of commerce in the country.”

ICham Chairman Andreatta told the signing ceremony that becoming an integral part of EuroCham was the successful passing a key test about its maturity.

“It is only natural that ICham becomes an active and full member of EuroCham, which already represents all other Chambers of founding member states of the EC, and which is universally recognized as the leading lobbying and business interests catalyser in Vietnam,” Andreatta said.

Andreatta told the Daily after the signing that it was better for ICham to be under the same roof of EuroCham for its over 40 members, mostly Italian companies with a presence in Vietnam, to take full advantage of business opportunities in this market.

He said Vietnam was a small market for Italian companies but emphasized that it was an important production and service base for them to enter and expand operations in Southeast Asia.

Back in 2003, EuroCham adopted a strategy to enter into partnership agreements with national chambers of commerce in Vietnam. As a result, EuroCham received initial partners, namely the French Chamber of Commerce (CCIFV), the German Business Association (GBA) and the Dutch Business Association in that year.

The Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (BeluxCham) became part of EuroCham in 2006. The Spanish Country Committee also joined in June this year as a Country Committee, and Cany hoped they would be a business association very soon.

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