On 25 May 2018, CEEC participated at the Meet Europe 2018 Conference in Melia Hotel Hanoi. The largest business-to-Government event of the year in Vietnam, gathered more than 500 attendees. The conference was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam (MOFA), with the support of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham).
The purpose of the event was to launch a broad discussion on the state of Europe-Vietnam relations, particularly regarding trade and investment, ahead of the coming into force of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
The conference was marked by the presence and a speech of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who praised the connection between European business and Vietnam and stressed the importance of Vietnam-Europe relations. The event attracted more than 200 Vietnamese Government officials, including Provincial Government Leaders. Alongside Prime Minister Phuc, the Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son also spoke at the plenary session, as well as the Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai, and the Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung. Over 200 company representatives – mostly European-Vietnamese businesses, were present and showcased the best European business has to offer. Many European Ambassadors to Vietnam, including the Ambassadors of EU to Vietnam, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland were also present.
The conference’s “Thematic Sessions” gave the stage to European companies that have been successfully doing business in Vietnam. Among the “case-studies” presented in several areas such as Automotive, Wine & Spirits, Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Infrastructure, and Industry 4.0, Healthcare and Tourism, CEEC members, Adamed and The Anam had their presentations. Ms. Katarzyna Dubno – Public Affairs and Market Access Director of Adamed, the largest investment pharmaceutical company in Vietnam from Poland, introduced the company and pointed the importance of openness, transparency and the equal treatment of all EU member countries to overcome the unexpected obstacles. Under the slogan “The Art of Travel” Mr. Herbert Laubichler-Pichler, General Manager of The Anam, presented the resort’s success story of a European/Vietnamese project.
In the third part of the conference, companies met one-on-one with the leaderships of more than 30 provinces of Vietnam who attended the event. CEEC, represented by the Chairman, Mr. Marko Moric and Vice-Chairman Mr. Csaba Bundik, had opportunities to receive Provincial Leaders from Hanoi, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa and Danang. This was where we learned the potential cooperation in other provinces in Vietnam.
We highly appreciate the Organizers for bringing this meaningful event to the business community.
You can find more pictures on our Facebook post.