HCMC – Vietnam is striving to emerge as a key destination for many regional and global investors, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ASEAN BIS) 2020 on November 13, themed “Digital ASEAN: Sustainable and Inclusive”.
At the online summit, held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and other relevant agencies, the Government leader said that Covid-19 is a challenge unheard of by the whole world, the local media reported.
It has caused an economic downturn, impeded global trade, disrupted supply chains, hindered travel and forced many enterprises to shut down.
In addition, some ASEAN countries have been hit by the recent natural disasters, including storms, floods and landslides, causing huge human and property losses, the prime minister added.
However, ASEAN has demonstrated its self-reliance and cooperation in the spirit of cohesiveness and responsiveness. The bloc has effectively controlled the Covid-19 pandemic and promoted economic recovery and development to ensure people are in good health and create favorable conditions for enterprises to promote their proactivity and creativity in economic recovery and development.
ASEAN BIS 2020 will be a bridge connecting leaders and policy makers with international organizations and leading enterprises in the region. The event will also offer a platform to discuss and share experiences and lessons to open up cooperation opportunities toward sustainable and inclusive development.
Vietnam, as the ASEAN Chair this year, has come up with multiple initiatives and cooperated with other ASEAN countries and partners to control the pandemic and execute recovery plans, especially facilitating the travel of experts, leaders and investors to ensure the operation of supply and distribution chains, recover production, create jobs for laborers and support enterprises facing difficulties.
According to the International Monetary Fund’s forecast last month, Vietnam might reach economic growth of 2%-3% this year.
Vietnam commits to cooperating with other ASEAN countries and partners to conduct more practical support programs for enterprises in the region, especially in digital transformation; environment, society and governance; technology and employment future and sustainable and inclusive development, PM Phuc affirmed.
Vietnam will also make more efforts to realize the common goal of putting people and enterprises at the center of development, while taking advantage of new opportunities brought on by the shifting of global supply chains and capital flows to the ASEAN region.
Speaking at the event, VCCI Chairman Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the ASEAN BIS 2020, said besides relief programs, the Governments of ASEAN countries should focus on supporting micro, small and medium, newly-established and startup enterprises, and those led by women. In addition, solutions to ensure the recovery of the aviation and tourism sectors are also needed, he noted.
