Hanoi welcomes Finnish investors, says city leader

Receiving Finnish ambassador Kari Kahiluoto on April 1, Anh spoke highly of the encouraging results of Finnish-funded projects over the years, especially those on safe water supply, waste water management and innovations, helping improve the living conditions of local people.

According to the Hanoi leader, the capital of Vietnam is home to four Finnish FDI projects valued at US$570,000. Two-way trade between Hanoi and Finland last year was merely US$8.4 million, including US$5.6 million worth of exports from Hanoi.

These figures show there remains plenty of room for expanding bilateral cooperation at present and in the future, especially following the enforcement of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement last August, said Anh.

Ambassador Kari Kahiluoto reviewed the efficiency of cooperation projects between Finland and Vietnam, as well as between Finland and Hanoi, and affirmed both sides are ramping up cooperation in trade, investment and high-technology.

He took the occasion to introduce some Finnish businesses that have great potential for cooperation with the Vietnamese capital.

Representatives of the Finnish businesses attending the meeting shared their strength in such areas as education, waste water management, infrastructure development and financial management, and expressed their hope to receive additional support in carrying out their projects in Hanoi.

Hanoi Mayor Chu Ngoc Anh welcomed the businesses’ initiatives and said Hanoi is implementing its five-year socio-development plan for 2020-2025, therefore it needs Finland’s know-how and assistance in sustainable development, innovations, urban construction and management.

To this end, he vowed to facilitate Finnish businesses’ operations in the capital city.