Diplomats vs. Businesses

On December 6, 2006, VCCI organized a meeting between heads of Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad and business associations and entrepreneurs in Vietnam. At the meeting, Vietnamese ambassadors and business community reviewed their joint efforts in the past and for the future.

 

Mr Tran Duc Mau, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany said that the main task of the embassy is to meet the demand of Vietnamese businesses and attract German trade and investment to Vietnam. In 2007, the embassy together with related organization organized “Vietnam Days in Germany” in several locations. It is not only the opportunity to introduce Vietnamese products but also for experts and businesses to meet and discuss on the promotion of trade and investment with Vietnam.

 

Mr Vu Tien Loc, VCCI President said that Vietnamese embassies and commercial sections abroad are regarded as information gateways on market and business environment in foreign countries. He pointed out that what Vietnamese businesses need most is information on foreign markets, important projects and especially partners. Vietnamese businesses are often confused when dealing with foreign companies of “big name” and small capital. He asked Vietnamese diplomats to help verify information on such companies.

 

The search for information sometimes requires financial support. A representative of Vietnam Small and Medium Enterprises Association suggested that concerned businesses may help diplomatic missions in certain expenses, for example the publication and distribution of the handbook “Approach to German Market” edited by Vietnamese embassy in Germany with information on related German law, customs, taxation, etc. Mr Loc said that VCCI can help establish a trade promotion fund to support Vietnamese missions abroad in their economic related activities.

 

At present, the network of trade and investment promotion organizations in Vietnam is quite complete, with VCCI on national level and associations, especially sector associations for almost all important industries. Vietnamese business community and associations hope that Vietnamese missions abroad will help them improve the cooperation with economic organizations, associations and markets in their respective countries.