At a meeting with 43 Swiss businesses in Zurich on August 29, Deputy PM Nhan said Vietnam is always willing to perfect the country’s business environment as suggested by foreign investors.

The Deputy PM said since former State President Nguyen Minh Triet’s visit to Switzerland in 2010, two-way has increased steadily despite the impact of the world economic recession, the European debt crisis, and the appreciation of the Swiss franc.

Deputy PM Nhan and Adolf Meier, Chairman of SACC's Vietnam Committee

Mr Nhan spoke highly of the role of the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC), in arranging for businesses from both countries to meet, exchange information and seek partners, for the mutual benefit of economic, trade, and investment cooperation.

Also at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Nam Hai briefed Swiss businesses on Vietnam’s economic situation, and participation in the WTO, as well as new investment opportunities in the Southeast Asian nation.

Deputy Minister Nam said Swiss businesses have 89 projects in Vietnam with a total capitalization of US$2 billion, ranking fourth in Europe and 19th in the world in terms of investment in the country. Last year’s two-way trade between Switzerland and Vietnam reached US$3 billion.

Deputy PM Nhan and Adolf Meier, Chairman of the Vietnam Committee under the SACC expressed their belief that two-way trade turnover will grow considerably in the near future.

Marco Martinelli, Director of the TIM Investment and Management Consulting JSC in HCM City, affirmed Vietnam’s huge potential for investment and trade development.

Mr Nhan is scheduled to meet with Chief of Federal Department of Economic Affairs Schneider Ammann, Chief of Federal Department of Home Affairs Alain Berset, and visit Swissmedic (a Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products) and the Vietnamese Embassy on August 30.