Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc advocated boosting cooperation between Vietnam and New Zealand in fields of mutual interest such as education-training, organic agriculture, smart agriculture, and infrastructure while addressing the Vietnam-New Zealand Business Forum in Auckland on March 13.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) speaks at the Vietnam-New Zealand Business Forum

The event, which was attended by more than 300 businesses and investors from the two countries, was held in the framework of the Vietnamese PM’s official visit to NZ from March 12-14. 

PM Phuc told the audience that Vietnam’s business environment has been significantly improved in recent years as seen in assessments made by the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. He also cited the latest survey of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in late February which showed that nearly 70 percent of Japanese firms operating in Vietnam have plans to expand business in the country. Furthermore, more than 62 percent of Japanese businesses claimed that doing business in Vietnam is profitable. 

According to the Business Climate Index released by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) for the last quarter of 2017, 63 percent of businesses perceived Vietnam’s current business climate as “good” and “very good” while nearly 86 percent of enterprises claimed they want to maintain and expand investment in the Southeast Asian country.

In February 2018, Nikkei announced that Vietnam scored 53.5 points in Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), the highest in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The PM also reported that Vietnam’s economic growth in the first quarter of 2018 was estimated at a record 7.41 percent.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will continue improving the usiness environment to attract more domestic and foreign investors and ensure their interests in accordance with Vietnamese regulations.

He said when doing business in Vietnam, New Zealand firms can access not only a nearly 100 million strong market but also the 600-million strong ASEAN along with the vast neighbouring Chinese market through Vietnam. 

The PM hoped the two sides’ businesses will discuss specific cooperation opportunities at the forum, especially when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CP TPP) has been signed with Vietnam and New Zealand as members.

Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Food Safety, and Rural Communities Damien O’Connor said New Zealand wants to further deepen trade relations with Vietnam, adding that he hoped the forum will bring benefits for both sides.

At the forum, PM Phuc answered many questions raised by New Zealand businesses regarding Vietnam’s policies to better business environment and attract investment in infrastructure development.

Afterwards, the PM witnessed the signing of agreements on bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture and education, and between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and New Zealand Business Council.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets with New Zealand’s milk firms

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) shake hands with Lukas Paravicini, Chief executive of Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd

The Vietnamese Government encourages foreign firms in milk production and processing to expand production, upgrade technology, apply energy saving solutions in the country. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the statement during his meetings with representatives of some milk companies of New Zealand in Auckland on March 13 as part of his current official visit to New Zealand.

During his reception for for Lukas Paravicini, Chief executive of Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd – the leading milk exporter of New Zealand, the PM affirmed Vietnam applauds and appreciates cooperation of the firm with its Vietnamese partners. 

He highlighted the strong development of Vietnam’s dairy and nutritional food market, saying that the country - the 93 million-strong market, is considered one of the most attractive market groups in the world. 

While talking about wide-opening opportunities brought by the newly-signed Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), PM Phuc expressed his belief that Fonterra and other enterprises of New Zealand will fully tap those to increase investment in Vietnam, towards expanding their market to other ASEAN member nations. 

The Vietnamese Government will both promote investment in developing the dairy sector, and create favourable conditions for enterprises to foster production in the field, contributing to generating more jobs and improving social welfare, he noted. 

For his part, Lukas Paravicini affirmed his firm is very interested in the Vietnamese market, adding that Fonterra has cooperated with many Vietnamese dairy firms. 

It is providing dairy materials for Vietnam’s dairy, beverage and nutritional food companies, as well as selling high-quality products in the Vietnamese market.

Fonterra pledged to further boost cooperation with Vietnamese enterprises, thus broadening its investment for production and business in the country, he stated. 

The same day, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc received Kim Willoughby, Director of Deosan Company; and Victor Truong, Director of Richmond Company. 

Expressing their pleasure to meet the Vietnamese leader,  the two firms’ representatives said they have worked with a number of Vietnamese partners with the intention of assisting Vietnamese firms in producing and processing dairy, contributing to improving Vietnamese dairy companies’ capacity.

Kim Willoughby spoke highly of the development potential of leading dairy businesses of Vietnam such as Vinamilk and TH True Milk, saying that Deosan has connected with Vietnamese farmers operating in processing milk and it plans to invest in the industry in Vietnam. 

Deosan will support for Vietnam’s farms by providing suitable products and services, such as milking equipment and consumer goods, veterinary services, farm design management, and quality management. 

PM Phuc highly valued Deosan’s assistance for Vietnamese dairy companies, affirming that the Vietnamese Government always supports its business and cooperation with local firms, and that Vietnam encourages foreign companies operating in the field to expand investment and production in the country.  

Vietnam is developing its dairy processing industry in a modern and comprehensive direction, aiming to improve its competitiveness for regional and global integration, he noted.

VNA