Sweden will help Vietnam in areas of its strength like energy saving, focusing on renewable energy development, Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade Ann Linde has said.
Linde made the pledge during her meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh in Hanoi on May 8, which took place within the framework of the visit to Vietnam by Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria Ingrid Alice Désiree.
Sweden will also back Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises, while assisting the country in building policies, developing infrastructure, and training personnel to meet the requirements of the fourth Industrial Revolution and the digital economy, she said.
The minister affirmed Sweden’s support to Vietnam at the European Commission (EC) in signing and ratifying the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement.
The Swedish Government and businesses always give deep sentiments and attention to Vietnam, she said.
The two ministers noted with pleasure the development of the bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on issues of shared concern.
Anh said the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) will fulfil its role as a bridge between enterprises of the two countries for mutual development, while closely coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies in setting forth development orientations in the spheres of common concern such as energy, supporting industry, retail, and vocational training.
He pointed out, however, that the bilateral trade has yet to match potential of both countries.
In 2018, two-way trade reached only 1.5 billion USD, a year-on-year rise of 14.34 percent, of which Vietnam’s exports stood at 1.16 billion USD, up 18.99 percent, and imports hit 345 million USD, up 1.09 percent.
According to the MoIT’s European-American Market Department, in the first quarter of 2019, Vietnam exported 324 million USD worth of goods to Sweden and imported 72 million USD from the country, with total revenue up 4.37 percent against the same period last year.
Sweden now ranks 33rd among 131 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 67 valid projects valued at over 365 million USD.
Currently, the European country is running many business projects in Vietnam, covering various realms like retail, machine manufacturing, electricity, IT and telecommunications, urban transport infrastructure, electronics, food processing, and education-training.
On the occasion, Anh attended the Vietnam-Sweden Business Forum and chaired the Vietnam-Sweden Business Summit.
More than a year after the Politburo's Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private sector development came into effect, expectations now extend beyond increasing the number of enterprises. The goal is to build a stronger business community with greater resilience, larger ambitions and the capacity to compete in global supply chains.
Vietnam is expected to remain one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, supported by resilient exports, strong investment inflows and an ambitious reform agenda, despite mounting global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s latest Vietnam Economic Update released on May 15.
Under a new circular, the exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits is conducted on the domestic carbon credit exchange through the carbon trading system, which is interconnected with the national registration system.
As many agricultural businesses continue to face challenges in finding stable outlets, modern retail systems are increasingly becoming key distribution channels helping Vietnamese products access the market more professionally.
For biofuels, particularly E10, to develop successfully, stronger and more coordinated policies are needed, especially pricing mechanisms capable of creating a sufficiently attractive gap between E10 and mineral-based petrol, an expert has said.
A recent PM directive set a May 10 deadline for ministries, agencies and localities to complete detailed allocations of the 2026 public investment capital plan.
A Party official has urged the Vietnamese business community to improve corporate governance, technological capacity, production standards, workforce quality and international connectivity to strengthen ties with the FDI sector.
The White Book provides a comprehensive overview of Vietnam’s current tax system in line with international practices, including direct taxes, indirect taxes and sector-specific levies.
The 12th Africa Forum for Investment & Commerce (AFIC 12) opened in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, on May 9, drawing around 2,000 participants, including officials, economists, businesses, financial and development organizagtions from 43 African countries and international partners, including Vietnam.
According to Dr. Bui Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Office of the Private Economic Development Research Board under the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform, Resolution 68 has helped foster a stronger entrepreneurial spirit through a series of concrete policy measures.
Consolidated first-quarter 2025 statements from Vietcombank, VietinBank and BIDV showed that the Treasury’s total deposit balance at the three lenders rose by nearly 39% compared with the end of 2025.
Vietnam targets 1 million one-person businesses, 5 million business entities, 10,000 tech startups, 45 startup support networks, a position among the world’s top 40 innovation ecosystems, and 1.5 billion USD in venture capital by 2030.
The exhibition, which runs until May 9 at the Hanoi International Centre for Exhibition, showcases advanced products and technologies across a range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, drug manufacturing machinery and equipment, medical devices, hospital and clinic services and dental equipment.
The province is tightening maritime governance, with a focus on May–June 2026 to finalise a more robust legal framework and close loopholes for illegal fishing.
Leading the charge in this massive building spree is the new central city square in the core of the Thu Thiem new urban area. Spanning more than 20 ha, it’s the crown jewel of the Central Square and new administrative center complex.
The country’s stable political and economic environment provides a critical foundation for long-term sourcing strategies. At the same time, Vietnam has demonstrated a strong ability to scale up manufacturing, supported by a continuously expanding industrial base capable of meeting both high-volume demand and increasingly complex technical and quality requirements.
The update by Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to its Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) on April 10, officially setting out import conditions for Vietnamese pomelos, is regarded as a major milestone in market access efforts.
Structured in two steps and three phases, the roadmap envisions a gradual shift from partial to full relocation of international flights, aligned with infrastructure readiness and the long-term ambition of building a regional aviation hub.
The circular economy is no longer just a policy choice. It has become an inevitable trend for delivering sustainable and green growth, sharpening competitiveness at home and abroad, and meeting Vietnam’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. It is now a prerequisite to sustain long-term economic expansion, particularly in industrial production and supporting industries.
Vietnamese fresh produce and processed foods are increasingly recognised for their quality, with items such as cashew nuts, coffee and spices gaining popularity among Middle East consumers. In 2025, Vietnam’s farm produce exports to the UAE exceeded 445 million USD, up nearly 24% year-on-year.