Dutch PM believes in stronger economic ties with Vietnam

Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue attended a roundtable discussion with 70 leading Dutch businesses and senior officials of Vietnam's ministries and sectors in Hanoi on April 9.
Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte (second from left) at the event (Source: VNA)

Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte (second from left) at the event (Source: VNA)

Addressing the event, part of an official visit by PM Rutte, Deputy PM Hue said that despite the geographical distance, the two countries’ trade relations date back to long time ago. In the 17th century, merchant vessels from the Netherlands reached Hoi An port in the area which is now Vietnam’s central province of Quang Nam, laying the foundation for bilateral trade ties.

This is an important historical basis for the strong development of their economic links, as seen in the recent past, he said, noting that the Netherlands is currently the biggest European investor in Vietnam with the total registered capital of over 9.5 billion USD. In 2018, bilateral trade surpassed 7.84 billion USD, accounting for 1.6 percent of Vietnam’s total trade turnover and about 14.6 percent of the country’s trade with EU members.

Roughly 77,300 Dutch tourists visited the Southeast Asian nation last year, making the Netherlands the fourth largest source of European travellers to Vietnam.

Valuing the Dutch delegation’s visit to Vietnam, Hue considered this trip an important chance to foster investment partnership and capitalise on the sound bilateral relations.

The deputy PM expressed his belief that once the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is signed and takes effect, it will create new opportunities for Dutch enterprises to invest and do business in Vietnam. Therefore, he asked the government, parliament, and businesses of the Netherlands to support the signing and ratification of this deal.

Vietnam is ready to provide optimal conditions for Dutch firms to invest in fields they hold strengths in, such as electronics, information technology, high technology, sustainable agriculture, irrigation, environmentally-friendly industries, renewable energy, wind power, seaport, shipbuilding, infrastructure development, healthcare, education-training, and green growth, Hue said, adding that “Your successes are also ours.”

For his part, PM Rutte said the two governments should continue removing as many obstacles as possible so as to facilitate investment cooperation between their businesses.

He also spoke highly of the Vietnamese Government’s efforts in improving the business climate, national competitiveness, and innovation indexes. He voiced his belief that bilateral economic, trade, and investment links will develop with greater strength in the time ahead.

Aside from trade, both sides also share many similarities, including marine economic potential, deltas, and climate change-related challenges. As such, the 70 Dutch companies visiting Vietnam this time, which have strength in such fields as agriculture, water, and wind power, are willing to cooperate with Vietnamese businesses, the PM added.

At the discussion, CEOs of Dutch companies said they are ready to make cooperation and investment for the sake of both sides. Deputy PM Hue also fielded their questions and opinions about Vietnam’s investment policy.

VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.