Swiss-Viet Economic Forum charts course for stronger bilateral partnership
VOV.VN - The Swiss-Viet Economic Forum 2026 (SVEF 2026) opened in Hanoi on October 18, bringing together nearly 300 delegates from government, business, academia and international partner organisations to explore ways to deepen Vietnam–Switzerland economic ties and expand cooperation across the region.
Held under the theme “From Bilateral Strength to Regional Impact: Advancing Switzerland–Viet Nam Partnerships in a Connected Global Economy” the three-day forum followed the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The VEFTA agreement has created fresh momentum for bilateral economic cooperation, with discussions focusing on how businesses can turn improved market access into practical opportunities.
Strong economic ties provide a foundation for further cooperation
Addressing the forum, Swiss President Guy Parmelin highlighted the significance of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2026. Over more than five decades, Vietnam and Switzerland have built a partnership based on mutual respect, trust and increasingly convergent interests.
Despite their geographical distance, the two countries have developed closer economic links. Parmelin noted that this partnership was taking shape amid global uncertainty, including geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions and emerging trade barriers. Businesses must also adapt to technological change, demographic shifts and the transition towards more sustainable economic models.
He emphasised that international trade, investment and economic cooperation create opportunities, foster innovation and contribute to higher living standards. Such openness, however, depends on clear and predictable rules. He affirmed that Switzerland is committed to a rules-based international economic order in which commitments are respected, businesses can invest with confidence and countries of all sizes compete on a level playing field.
For Vietnam and Switzerland, this commitment reflects a shared conviction that cooperation delivers better results than isolation, and that prosperity is best achieved through engagement rather than fragmentation.
The strength of their economic ties is reflected in trade and investment figures. Bilateral trade rose by almost 20% in 2025 from a year earlier to nearly US$3.5 billion. Swiss foreign direct investment in Vietnam reached approximately US$1.8 billion in 2024, up 14% year on year.
The President outlined that behind these figures are businesses that have helped sustain the partnership. Swiss companies have operated in Vietnam for decades, contributing to industrial development, technology transfer, skills development and job creation. Vietnamese companies, meanwhile, are becoming increasingly visible and competitive in international markets, creating further scope for partnerships and investment.
EFTA agreement opens new opportunities for businesses
Against this backdrop, the signing of the Vietnam–EFTA FTA marks an important step towards deeper economic engagement. President Parmelin described the agreement as more than a trade instrument, highlighting its role in strengthening the framework for cooperation.
By improving market access, providing greater legal certainty and creating new opportunities for businesses on both sides, the agreement also signals confidence in the future of Vietnam–Switzerland economic relations.
Taking the floor, Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland Chau Mai Anh spoke of the significance of the forum alongside progress on the FTA, noting that these developments offered an opportunity to deepen economic cooperation and give businesses greater confidence in planning for the future.
She underscored that the agreement’s potential would depend on effective implementation and business decisions. Companies need to understand the opportunities available, prepare to meet relevant requirements and identify suitable partners. The forum, she said, provides a platform for connecting policy discussions with practical business experience.
Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung described the agreement, concluded after 14 years of negotiations and 21 rounds of talks, as a historic milestone reflecting the political determination and sustained efforts of all parties.
He held that the immediate engagement between businesses following the signing ceremony sent a clear message: the agreement must deliver tangible cooperation opportunities and concrete business results. Its framework, including rules of origin, can help strengthen supply-chain links between Europe and Southeast Asia.
Addressing business representatives, Hung introduced Vietnam’s potential as a destination for long-term investment, a competitive manufacturing base and a partner in regional supply chains. For Vietnamese businesses, the agreement could encourage technological innovation, better corporate governance and compliance with international standards.
He also pledged that the Vietnamese Government would continue institutional reforms, improve the investment climate and work with businesses to help them make effective use of the opportunities available.
Business partnerships key to translating commitments into results
The forum also brought the business community’s role in translating the agreement into practical gains into focus. Silvan Wildhaber, Chairman of economiesuisse, said the EFTA–Vietnam FTA sent a strong signal that Switzerland and Vietnam had chosen openness, cooperation and partnership amid geopolitical tensions, protectionist tendencies and economic uncertainty.
He noted that the agreement would improve market access, strengthen legal certainty and create better investment conditions for Swiss companies. Vietnamese businesses, in turn, could gain further opportunities to join international value chains, access advanced technologies and deepen cooperation with innovative Swiss partners.
The forum also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between DKSH and the Vietnam Pharmaceutical Companies Association, providing a concrete example of business engagement alongside the broader policy discussions.
Swiss businesses urged to seize opportunities in Vietnam
VOV.VN - Economiesuisse, a Swiss media outlet, has recently published an article highlighting Vietnam’s stable economic growth and strong potential for investment expansion, identifying the country as an important partner, particularly in trade, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
