Meeting of the Investment Experts’ Group (IEG) in HCM City on August 21.(Photo: VNA)HCM City (VNA) – Promoting trade andinvestment, and reforming the investment climate in APEC member economies were discussed at a meeting of the InvestmentExperts’ Group (IEG) inHCM City on August 21 within the framework of the third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting.
The two-day meeting held under the aegisof the Committee of Trade and Investment saw the presence officials from 21 APEC members andexperts from international organisations.
IEG Convener Maxim Berdichevsky saidone of the big topics is the examination of next generations’ trade investmentissues, which have been identified by APEC members as a matter for the future.
“We want to make iteasy for investors to move their capital within the region to optimise the supply chainand investment,” he toldreporters.
At the meeting, delegatesalso debated the latest domestic investment policy approaches to improving theinvestment climate.
Australia proposedexchange of experience related to foreign investment with a particular focus onengagement with internal (business, Government, and wider community) andexternal (investors, foreign governments) stake holders.
The country sharedits experience in developing a whole-of-government community strategy.
Japan talked aboutits review of multi-year plans for infrastructure development and investment.
Other issues on infrastructure investment, investmentfacilitation action plan, investment policy dialogue, and public privatepartnership were discussed at the meeting.
Thai Thu Phuong, IEG ViceChair, said the meeting is a good chance for Vietnam to learn from othermembers, especially about issues relating to public-private partnership andinvestor – state dispute settlement management.
Asked how Vietnam can attract more investment, Berdichevsky said: “For economies looking toattract investment, both international and domestic, it’s important to have atransparent and predictable trade framework.”
Stephen Thomsen, head of Investment PolicyReviews, Investment Division, Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairsof the Organisation for Economic Cooperationand Development (OECD), said to make sure laws are implemented consistently andtransparently is a challenge. ButVietnam has made a lot ofprogress in its legislative framework for investment.
Vietnam’s new Investment Lawis a good improvement, he said.-VNA
