Vietnamese Ambassador Le Linh Lan in Switzerland speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)Based in Lausanne, the SVBG, the first of its kind foundedby Vietnamese expatriates in Switzerland, has been set to focus on offeringtrade information via workshops, forums, and internal bulletins; providinglegal consultations and guidance; developing links for technological transfersand improvement; and introducing quality human resources. It will also makerecommendations for more favourable business climate to competent agencies ofboth nations, while organising socio-cultural activities serving its goals.
Speaking at the debut ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador LeLinh Lan stressed the group came into being at a special time as Vietnam hasplaced the COVID-19 pandemic under control and prepared best conditions possibleto welcome Swiss investors.
In 2020, Vietnam’s economy grew 2.91 percent, making it oneof the few countries that have maintained positive GDP growth while many othersin the world fell into severe recession. Also in August last year, theEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement took effect, opening up huge trade andinvestment opportunities for both sides. In last November, as the Chair of theASEAN, Vietnam successfully pushed the signing of the Regional ComprehensiveEconomic Partnership (RCEP), establishing the biggest free trade areaworldwide.
Lan stressed the embassy supports the operation of the SVBG.
At the debut (Photo: VNA)Meanwhile, Vietnam is the four biggest trade partner ofSwitzerland in ASEAN, with bilateral trade exceeding 3.6 billion USD in 2019.Since 2012, Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – the intergovernmentalorganisation of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – begannegotiations for a FTA, which is expected to be signed this year.
As scheduled, the SVBG will make debut to its Swiss partnersat the Webinar Market Focus Vietnam that the group co-hosts with the embassyand the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services./.
VNA
