At the event, both Norwegian businesses and Vietnamese leaders in green development agreed that the two sides had a lot of favourable conditions for green development cooperation.
The first advantage is the Government of Vietnam already had action programmes on green development based on the National Strategy on Green Growth. The strategy will accelerate the process of restructuring and perfecting the Vietnamese economic institution by using natural resources more efficiently, enhancing economic competitiveness by promoting investment into technological renovation, natural capital and economic tools. This strategy will help with a better responce to climate change, reduce poverty and ensure sustainable economic development. Vietnam’s green development strategy is crystallised from the experience of many countries in the world.
Dr Pham Hoang Mai, Director of the Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment, said the strategy has three main tasks: By 2010, Vietnam will voluntarily reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions by 8 -10 percent over 2010 and by 20 percent with additional international support; Vietnam will green production with the aim of developing green industry and green agriculture based on environment-friendly establishments, technology and equipment; and Vietnam will green lifestyles and promote sustainable consumption. To implement the strategy, Vietnam has taken many action programmes like the national reforestation programme, green production encouragement programme, and energy conservation programme. The investment is funded 30 percent by State funds and 70 percent by private funds.
Another advantage for green development cooperation between Vietnamese and Norwegian companies is that Vietnam and Norway have many similarities in green development. Mr Nguyen Quang Vinh, Director of the Office for Business Sustainable Development (SD4B) under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said the Governments of the two countries share many standpoints in green development. For example, both consider businesses an important element in carbon dioxide emission reduction, green production and addition of green businesses.
The next thing that must not be forgotten is that Vietnam must pursue green development. Mai said Vietnam has no other choice other than green development, as it will be affected by climate change, Vietnamese businesses must develop green growth to enhance their competitiveness in the marketplace as Vietnam’s exports account for a huge proportion and serve as a big forex earner. Green growth will also help Vietnamese enterprises raise brand value in both domestic and international markets. Vinh said that if Vietnamese businesses lag behind in green development, they will lose competitive advantages when they face trade barriers in other markets.
Vibeke H.Madsen, CEO of VIRKE (Enterprise Federation of Norway), said another advantage for green development in Vietnam is an increasing number of middle-class people coupled with many scenic spots which attract more and more tourists from other countries. Hence, the consumption of green products in Vietnam will keep going up.
However, according to Mr Mai, in green development, Vietnam presently lacks policies to mobilise financial resources like international climate funds, and faces difficulties in encouraging domestic investors.
Meanwhile, commercial relations between Vietnam and Norway are being deepened and expanded, including green product development. Ms Vibeke H.Madsen said the trade revenue between the two countries has nearly doubled in the latest five years and forecast to expand 10 percent annually in the coming years. Norway is a small country in area and population, but it is a big consumer market in the EU by per capita value. The consumer demand for green products is increasing. To supply green goods for the market, VIRKE is seeking green garment partners in Vietnam. Many Norwegian companies arrived in Vietnam during the Crown Prince of Norway’s visit to the Southeast Asian nation to search for long-term business relations with Vietnamese companies, including in the green development field. Especially, Norwegian companies have a lot of experience, projects, equipment and technology for green production that Vietnamese enterprises need. She added that Norwegian companies cannot make success and cannot introduce experiences, projects, technologies and equipment for green development in Vietnam without the support of Vietnamese partners. Therefore, increasing cooperation among businesses of the two countries is extremely important and necessary to be started right now.
Hence, this is considered a good time to enhance green development cooperation between businesses of the two nations.
At the seminar, Norwegian companies said that, to effectively carry out the National Strategy on Green Growth in Vietnam, State companies should go ahead, with prioritised focus given to green production standards, energy use and resource use, and private companies will follow. According to experience in other countries, in green development, the Government is the biggest customer for enterprises. So, Vietnam should issue green criteria for every product and place orders with enterprises. Besides, the Government should have tax incentives and preferential policies for green businesses.
Source: VCCI
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