VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam would do its best to create favourable conditions for Dutch companies to do business and invest in Viet Nam efficiently and in the long term, President Nguyen Minh Triet said yesterday, March 28.

President Nguyen Minh Triet speaks to Dutch Prince Willem-Alexander yesterday on the occassion of his visit to Viet Nam. (Photo: VNS)

The Netherlands' delegation includes Henk Bleacher Secretary for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, State Secretary for Infrastructure and Environment Joop Atsma and more than 90 Dutch enterprises.

In the meeting, Triet said the visit would be a breakthrough in the friendly and co-operative ties between the two countries.

The President thanked the Dutch Government and people for their support for Viet Nam during its struggle for national independence. He said their Official Development Assistance capital had helped the country's construction and development progress.

Expressing his delight at the development of the bilateral economic, trade and investment relationship, Triet affirmed that the Netherlands was one of Europe's leading investors in Viet Nam and was the country's fourth biggest importer in Europe.

He said the Dutch enterprises that accompanied the Prince's delegation would have opportunities to meet Vietnamese counterparts with the hope of future co-operation.

Prince Willem-Alexander said he was impressed by Viet Nam's socio-economic development over the past years.

Princess Maxima and some ministers conveyed the Dutch Royal and people's friendly sentiment to the country and people, and affirmed that the Netherlands was ready to become Viet Nam's partner in international fora.

Prince Willem-Alexander said many Dutch companies were visiting Viet Nam, recognising the importance of the country in the region and in the world. He added that Dutch investors were keen on co-operating with Vietnamese partners in water, agriculture, marine logistic, shipbuilding, oil and gas and financial sectors.

President Triet and Prince Willem-Alexander also discussed climate change.

Prince Willem-Alexander noted that the Netherlands and Viet Nam have common challenges in coping with climate change and sea rising, saying the world had only mentioned mitigating its effects but had not taken into account long-term plans and strategies to combat it.

He stressed the crucial role of Viet Nam in responding to the issue and said he believed there would likely be a global conference on climate change next year.

Triet said Viet Nam understands the challenges climate change poses. He highly valued the acceptance of the Netherlands' former Minister of Agriculture Veer Man to be an advisor to the Vietnamese Government in implementing the national programme on climate change and sea rise response.

PM's receipt

The same day, Dutch Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima were also received by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Dung told the Dutch Prince and Princess that despite achievements, Viet Nam still faced many difficulties in its socio-economic development.

Viet Nam had built a 10-year sustainable development strategy from 2011 to 2020, focusing on three pillars: sustainable economic growth, social equality and environmental protection, he said.

To realise these goals, Viet Nam has mobilised its resources and hopes to receive assistance from international friends.

Dung said that the full potential for co-operation between the two countries has not yet been fully realised. He stressed that Viet Nam wants to boost co-operation with the Netherlands in the oil and gas, shipbuilding, banking, and climate change response sectors.

For his part, Prince Willem Alexander said this was his second visit to Viet Nam after five year, adding that Viet Nam had seen rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development.

The Prince congratulated Viet Nam on its success as a full member of the World Trade Organisation, non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and Chairman of ASEAN 2010, which helped improve the country's position in the international arena.

The Netherlands' delegation also met with Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat. The Dutch affirmed their support for Viet Nam.

The two sides' ministries of agriculture are expected to sign a letter of co-operation in irrigation, planting and animal husbandry and veterinary.

Credit access

Princess Maxima of the Netherlands offered to support the development of a sustainable financial system in Viet Nam.

Princess Maxima, who is also the United Nations Secretary General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, made this statement to permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung in Ha Noi yesterday.

The Crown Prince Willem-Alexander's wife was impressed by Viet Nam's achievements in eradicating poverty and hunger. She emphasised the importance of financial products, such as savings and insurance, which helps poor people access sources of credit.

The princess said apart from loans, savings are also useful for the poor, suggesting that credit organisations unite with other organisations to provide sustainable financial products to businesses and people, particularly those in rural areas.

Viet Nam can take a short cut by using a number of credit organisation models, like mobile and assigned banks and combining credit organisations and post systems and shops to create the most favourable conditions for people to access loans, insurance and savings, she said.

Deputy Prime Minister Hung said the Vietnamese Government had done its best to facilitate access to credit. However, Viet Nam remains a poor country with a huge demand for capital and underdeveloped markets.

Viet Nam wanted to learn from the Netherlands to research and apply credit models that match Viet Nam's needs, said the Deputy PM.

He said he hoped Princess Maxima would continue to assist Viet Nam in this endeavor.

The same day, a seminar on business opportunities in Viet Nam was held in Ha Noi with the participation of 90 Dutch businesses.

The Netherlands is one of Europe's biggest investors in Viet Nam with a total registered capital of US$5.38 billion.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News