The time-honoured relationship between Vietnam and Switzerland has been growing from strength to strength in all areas, especially in trade and investment over the past years. “We should always go an extra mile when helping Swiss companies settle down in Vietnam. Every good example of a successful entry in the Vietnamese market is a role model for others to follow,” said H.E. Mr Andrej Motyl, Ambassador of Switzerland, in an interview with Vietnam Business Forum regarding the fine cooperation between the two countries. “Switzerland, with over US$2 billion investments in Vietnam, is one of the leading European investors to Vietnam and I believe that more is coming, if the Vietnamese Government helps with the Frame conditions,” he added. Nguyen Mai reports.
Could you please tell us the typical milestones and achievements in the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Switzerland for the past 40 years?
The typical milestones and achievements in the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Switzerland for the past 40 years are as follows:
Establishment of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Vietnam as second western country after Sweden in 1971; Signing of Civil Aviation Agreement in 1979; 1992 Agreement on Investment Protection; 2002 Frame Agreement on Development Cooperation; 1993 Agreement on Economic Cooperation; 1996 Agreement against Double Imposition; 2002 Federal Councillor Couchepin and economic delegation visit Vietnam; 2003 visit of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan in Bern meeting Swiss President and Minister of Education, Health, Social Affairs; 2006 visit of Deputy President of Parliament Mrs Egerszegi with economic delegation to celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations; 2007 visit of Minister of Economy Mrs Leuthard with economic delegation to Vietnam; 2008 visit of Swiss President Couchepin to Vietnam; 2009 visit of State Secretary of Economy Gerber and Economic Delegation to Vietnam; 2010 visit of Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet to Switzerland; 2011 Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai meets Swiss Minister of Economy Schneider Ammann and Speaker of Swiss Parliament in Bern; 2011 visit of State Secretary of Economy Ineichen with an economic delegation to Vietnam; Spring 2012 launching of EFTA- Vietnam Free Trade Agreement Negotiations. Summer 2012 visit of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan with major delegation to Bern and meeting Federal Councillors Schneider Ammann and Berset; October 2013 visit of Minister of Economy Schneider Ammann with an economic delegation to Vietnam; Planned in spring 2014 visit of Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung to Geneva and Berne.
Would you please tell us how Vietnam can attract more Swiss companies to invest and do business in Vietnam?
It is necessary to establish an independent highly qualified, well paid judiciary. Companies tend to disagree and to fight, they need a fair and efficient referee. It is also necessary to introduce an administration strongly devoted to helping the entrepreneurs – domestic and foreign – in their business efforts. There is a need to revolutionize the Higher Educational System and the Vocational Training System to leap-frog to the level of countries like Thailand, or even Korea and Singapore. Otherwise Vietnam risks remaining a middle income country only by name. The higher the purchasing power of the Vietnamese people, the more Swiss companies will export to or even produce in Vietnam. Switzerland, with over US$2 billion investments in Vietnam, is one of the leading European investors to Vietnam and I believe that more is coming, if the Vietnamese Government helps with the Frame conditions.
Entering 2014, what should Vietnam and Switzerland do to promote bilateral relations and strengthen the already sustainable development, especially in the fields of investment and trade?
Live up to the Agreements you sign and be more focused and long term oriented in Free Trade Agreement Negotiations. We should always go an extra mile when helping Swiss companies settle down in Vietnam. Every good example of a successful entry in the Vietnamese market is a role model for others to follow. Entrepreneurs only believe what they see, not what they hear.
Would you please tell us about the country, people and customs of Switzerland?
The political power (sovereign Might) is at the lowest level and it is the people and Cantons, who delegate power and competences to the Federal Level. What was not given to the Centre, belongs to the Canton, Commune or the people. The very frequent Referenda in Switzerland make the people very actively involved in contentious constitutional and even legal issues. Switzerland has the highest possible power sharing system. The Federal System guarantees the maximum representation of the interests of the 26 cantons. The proportional Quotas assure in the Executive, Legislative and in the Judiciary, but also in the Army, Universities and the whole administration, that all segments of society are involved. Social Powersharing: Unions and Employers negotiate all the salaries and working conditions regularly. Our Neutrality made Switzerland a Diplomatic Centre in Europe: The Vietnamese and the French negotiated in 1954 in Geneva, Algeria’s Independence was negotiated by Swiss Diplomats, the Coming Syria Negotiations will be in Geneva. The Swiss vote very soberly, thinking long term and even voting for longer working hours, or less minimal wages or vacation, when assuming that these sacrifices are worthwhile in the long term.
Đăng ký: VietNam News