Brussels, 13/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - On a Mission for Growth to Vietnam, European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani has been promoting greater European SME participation in Vietnam's development.
Tajani's visit to Hanoi on 12-13 November as part of the South-East Asia tour had three objectives - to encourage innovation and inclusive and sustainable growth in the EU and Vietnam; to help European SMEs, which come up against great difficulty in setting up permanently, invest in Vietnam; and to promote targeted sectors of European industry.
Accompanied during his visit by a delegation of over 40 representatives from companies and industrial associations, Tajani signed an agreement on SMEs on Wednesday with Vietnam's Minister for Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh. The agreement aims to make life easier for European companies in Vietnam through implementing a more transparent and predictable framework for business and guaranteeing fair conditions in comparison with local businesses. Although it enjoys relatively open regulation and quality labour that is still inexpensive, Vietnam has the reputation of a market that is difficult to access due to strong state capitalism and lengthy procedures.
Tajani also initialled an agreement with Vietnam's Deputy Minister for Culture and Tourism Ho Anh Tuan on Wednesday - an agreement that aims to stimulate cooperation on training and the welcome of Vietnamese tourists in Europe. The simplification of the European code for granting visas was a crucial issue raised by Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during his meeting with Tajani on Wednesday. (EH/transl.fl)