Foreign investors maintained their trust in Viet Nam despite countless difficulties last year and the country is viewed as a safe destination for development, a recent forum in Ha Noi heard.

Illustrative image (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Viet NamEconomic Times co-held the Connections for Development Forum 2021 held late last month, with the theme “Seizing New Opportunities for Localities and Businesses”.

Addressing the forum, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said that Viet Nam is emerging as an attractive investment destination in Asia and its nation brand value is growing at the fastest rate in the world, rising nine places to 33^rd in the top 100 nation brand rankings.

The FDI sector has become an important driver of Viet Nam’s economic growth, with its contribution to GDP rising considerably, he noted.

As of December 2020, Viet Nam had a total of 33,070 FDI projects worth over 384 billion USD, with 231.86 billion USD, or 60.4 percent of funds, disbursed.

Minh said registered and disbursed capital during 2016-2020 increased sharply compared to previous periods, adding that although 2020 was full of difficulties, investors maintained their trust in Viet Nam’s market and investment climate and expanded their operations in the country.

Representing the business community, Chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc said economic sectors in Viet Nam have had their roles clearly defined by the Party and State.

On the basis of existing orientations and the legal foundation, FDI enterprises have a number of favourable conditions to operate effectively and contribute more to the development of localities and Vietnam’s economy, Loc said.

Representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam(AmCham), the British Chamber of Commerce Viet Nam (BritCham), and the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam(EuroCham), shared a view that the country’s brand and stature in the international arena have improved considerably in recent years, which is an important prerequisite for cooperation between localities and investors and between foreign and domestic businesses.

Heads of the Korea Chamber of Business (KorCham) in Viet Nam and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Hanoi also spoke highly of Viet Nam, describing it as a safe destination for development.

They held that localities’ professionalism and transparency have been creating substantial momentum for investors to conduct and expand investments in large and hi-tech projects.

Minh said the Government will focus on four issues: firmly maintaining a stable socio-political environment, improving the quality and transparency of policies and laws, prioritising investment in infrastructure development, and reforming the business environment and administrative procedures, especially those relating to land and site clearance.

He emphasised that the Government welcomes foreign investors coming to conduct long-term business and actively contribute to the country’s development.

In the time ahead, the FDI sector will remain an important driving force helping to realise Viet Nam’s aspirations for prosperity, he added.

Source: VNA