Deputy PM welcomes more FDI
‘Investing in Vietnam opens the doors to a potential market of nearly 90 million people, in addition to 600 million consumers in the ASEAN region,” Deputy PM said.
Vietnam welcomes the participation of foreign enterprises in the country's reform process, said Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.
Hai was speaking at the international Vietnam Summit: A New Path to a New World, held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Economist Conferences in Ha Noi on January 11.
Hai said foreign investment will help to reduce the trade deficit.
"When joining the Vietnam market, all enterprises are seen as part of the Vietnamese economy. We are willing to create the most favourable conditions for investors," Hai noted.
"I know that all of you have gone through a hard time, but I believe when you come to Vietnam you will get more investment opportunities," he added.
Hai said the Government's reform programme would focus on stabilising the macroeconomy.
"Growth targets are not a top priority, but we still have to pay attention to growth since it affects employment," Hai emphasized. "Stabilising the macroeconomy will make it possible for enterprises to plan for the future."
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that the number of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) being restructured has decreased from 12,000 to 6,000.
"SOEs themselves want to be as competitive as possible," Hai said.
Hai also pledged to fight corruption and reform the legal framework to create a more competitive environment.
He added that the Government is keen on creating an independent central bank.
Attending the summit were about 250 senior executives from members of the Government, domestic and regional businesses and academics.