Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the Vietnam-Estonia Business Forum (Photo: THANH GIANG)

At the Forum, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna assessed that this was the largest high-level delegation to visit Estonia; expressed his joy that the two sides had signed a MOU on cooperation in the digital field, the next step needs to be fast and time-saving, bringing specific results. Vietnam can trust Estonia, because Estonia can act as a bridge for Vietnam to enter the EU.

The Minister pointed out that Vietnam is the fastest growing economy in the region. Estonia “envies Vietnam” for this development and has much to learn. Through cooperation, we can cooperate, help and complement each other. Estonia is proud to call itself a digital nation. Estonia is a leader in cybersecurity.

Not only in the field of information technology, the two countries can cooperate in many fields such as technology and education and training because Estonia has high quality education in the world. Next year, Estonia will popularize AI education in primary and secondary schools.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna speaks at the Forum

The Minister stated that although the two countries are geographically far apart, Vietnam can find a trustworthy environment in Estonia because Estonia is always a country that keeps its promises and does what it says; this country also has an electronic permanent residency program, 40 Vietnamese enterprises are members of this program.

Estonia has the most favorable tax environment, Vietnamese enterprises do not need to be present in Estonia but can become Estonia's digital ecosystem. Currently, there are 35 Estonian enterprises operating in Vietnam, but we can double, triple or even 10 times this number. The Minister expressed that next year he plans to visit Vietnam to promote cooperation between the two countries.

The Director General of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mait Palts emphasized the need to connect freely; support Estonia's entrepreneurial spirit, build resilience, and build a future-oriented economy. Estonia has strengths in information technology, real estate, finance, processing, manufacturing, etc.

Estonia consistently ranks first in the global business environment index, has the most competitive environment in the OECD, digital access, transparent public management, making Estonia a good partner in international cooperation.

In recent years, bilateral trade relations have been continuously developing. Estonia imports a lot of wooden furniture, electronics, seafood, and food from Vietnam. The two countries share the same spirit and aspiration to apply new technologies, develop the economy, and seek smart solutions to improve life. The business relationship between the two sides has been strongly promoted. Estonian businesses are increasingly interested in the Vietnamese market.

With the support of the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will organize business delegations to Vietnam. The two sides can innovate and strengthen cooperation, leading to a long-term, closer partnership for knowledge exchange; at the same time, they will continue to support businesses doing business in Vietnam. He expressed that the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be the first reliable address for Vietnamese businesses.

Speaking at the Forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that during his talks with the Estonian Prime Minister, the two sides agreed on many contents to promote bilateral cooperation. That is to promote deeper cooperation in science and technology, digital transformation is an area in which Estonia has strengths and Vietnam has needs, and to develop together.

Promoting closer and more sustainable political relations, on that basis through cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries to support businesses and investors of the two countries. Expanding economic, trade and investment cooperation is an area where the two countries still have much room, making good use of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

This is beneficial for consumers, economic development of each country; together promoting investment cooperation between the two business communities because there is still a lot of room.

The Prime Minister stated that the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) also contributes to facilitating investment for businesses of the two countries; the two sides agreed to protect the legitimate rights and interests of businesses of the two countries to invest; welcome and encourage businesses of the two countries to research, expand production and business; develop the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and cloud computing.

Estonia is ahead of Vietnam in this field, so Vietnam needs to learn from Estonian businesses because the two sides have great ideas to meet, and there is good, favorable political cooperation, guaranteed by the two governments.

Informing Estonians about Vietnam's current domestic economic situation, the Prime Minister stated that Vietnam is focusing on three strategic breakthroughs, while also focusing on promoting new growth drivers such as digital transformation, green transformation, innovation, etc.

Vietnam identifies innovation, science and technology, and digital transformation as important foundations to support people and businesses, thereby reducing costs and increasing competitiveness for production and business.

Vietnam is also removing institutional obstacles related to people and businesses.

Regarding integration, Vietnam must keep up, follow along and surpass, from being passive to being proactive, participating in leading the game. Vietnam identifies the private economy, including foreign investment, FDI and indirect investment as the most important driving force of the national economy, from which there are preferential policies related to exchange rates, currency; and fiscal policies to serve production and business development.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the Vietnamese Government encourages the business communities of the two countries to connect, Vietnam is a bridge for Estonian businesses to enter ASEAN, and vice versa, Estonia is also a gateway for Vietnam to enter the EU. Vietnam is determined to strive to achieve an economic growth rate of 8% this year, with double-digit growth in the following years.

This is a difficult and challenging goal in the current context, but with the spirit of "the more pressure, the more effort", "turning nothing into something, turning difficult into easy, turning impossible into possible", high determination, great effort, saying is doing, committing must be done, doing, committing must be done with results, specific products that can be "weighed, measured, and counted"; listening and understanding together; harmonizing benefits and sharing risks; sharing vision, awareness and action; working together, enjoying together, winning together and developing together; sharing joy, happiness and pride.

In that spirit, the Prime Minister called on the business communities of the two countries to strengthen the connection between the two economies, support each other for mutual benefit, and contribute to strengthening the good friendship between the two countries. He hoped that businesses would successfully invest in each country, contributing to strengthening peace, cooperation and development in the world.

According to nhandan.vn

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/tang-cuong-ket-noi-manh-me-cong-dong-doanh-nghiep-viet-nam-va-estonia-154430.html