Danish Deputy Prime Minister Bendt Bendtsen: I see huge investment opportunities in Vietnam, especially opportunities for Danish enterprises with advantages in such areas as construction, shipbuilding, and food processing.
On the sidelines of the Vietnam-Denmark Business Forum held in Hanoi recently, Danish Deputy Prime Minister Bendt Bendtsen has granted an interview with local and foreign correspondents.
Reporter: The trade and economic relations between Vietnam and Denmark have been enhanced in recent years. However, they have not matched the potential of the two countries. What are solutions for promoting the relations in the future?
Mr Bendtsen: I think that this visit will help enhance the relations between the two countries. The presence of 21 leading Danish enterprises at the forum and the operation of more than 60 companies in Vietnam have proved that the relations will further develop in future.
We have already reached an agreement to strengthen our cooperation during talks with Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung, and I hope to see more investment in Vietnam in the coming time. However, to realise this, it is necessary to facilitate the granting of licences to Danish investors and businesses in Vietnam.
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So far, Denmark has had 38 investment projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of nearly US$149 million, ranking 25th among 74 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Most Danish projects focus on food industry, heavy industry and services as well as on enhancing management capacity, technology transfer and support for the development of Vietnam’s human resources in many other fields. |
I hope that the understanding between the enterprises of the two countries will be further enhanced in the future. During the visit, I have met friendly Vietnamese people.
At the forum, Danish enterprises have the chance to introduce themselves to Vietnamese businesses and I hope that Danish enterprises will function as bridge to promote the relationship and understanding between the enterprises of the two countries. We are also expected to sign many agreements and contracts at the forum and there will be more and more Danish companies investing in Vietnam in the future.
Reporter: What about your viewpoint on the EC's imposition of anti-dumping tariffs on Vietnam's leather shoes?
Mr Bendtsen: Denmark strongly believes in trade liberalisation. Therefore, we are willing to oppose any protection action. Although we are EU member, we do not agree with the EC’s imposition of anti-dumping tax rate on Vietnam’s leather shoes.
Reporter: Could you share experiences with the Government of Vietnam in the globalisation process?
Mr Bendtsen: Denmark has set up a globalisation council and set up a globalisation strategy. We hope that the strategy will bring benefits to both Denmark and other countries in the world. We have mapped out about 350 targets relating to globalisation, with a focus on education, research and development of enterprises. We hope that the strategy will turn Denmark into one the world’s richest countries and we are willing to share these experiences with the Government of Vietnam.
| For several years, Denmark has annually provided 50 million in official development assistance to Vietnam. In the 2006-2010 period, Denmark is committed to providing US$67 million in ODA for Vietnam. |
Reporter: When you return to Demark, how will you help Danish people and investors increase investment and cooperation with Vietnam?
Mr Bendtsen : First of all, I will tell Danish people and businesses about huge investment opportunities in Vietnam. In Vietnam, there are many opportunities for Danish enterprises with advantages in such areas as construction, shipbuilding, food processing. It is obvious that enterprises will have a positive assessment of investment opportunities in Vietnam.
Reporter: Thank you very much.
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