Dutch Businesses & Binh Duong Becamex: Round-Table Dialogue 22 March

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The Binh Duong Government & Becamex invited Dutch Businesses over for a round-table dialogue on 22 March. A group of eleven Dutch Business Leaders met with top officials of the Binh Duong Government, to exchange thoughts on developments, and made suggestions for improvements.

Among the participants from Dutch Business Side were leaders from Friesland Campina, De Heus, Philips, Nedspice, East West Seed, AkzoNobel, Unilever and Except.

Leadership changes

Recently, the Binh Duong Province has seen much change in leadership and the Dutch FDI business community has lots of new faces too. Moreover since the pandemic broke out and became "basically under control", a lot of developments in the province had taken place. For all these reasons, this high-level meeting was set up. 

DBAV Member Eindhoven International Project Office (EIPO), who are strategic advisors to Binh Duong for their smart city development, supported to initiate the meeting and arranged high level participation from all departments of the Binh Duong Government & Becamex. DBAV invited the participants from the Dutch side. Daniël Stork, Consul General of The Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City led the meeting. 

A couple of highlights from some of the speakers: 

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Daniël Coenraad Stork, CG of The Netherlands

In his closing remarks, Daniël Stork, CG of the Netherlands in Vietnam, expressed appreciation for the good, open and frank discussion. His takeaways from the meeting

Mr Stork mentioned the impressive development in Binh Duong, a province with one of the highest GDP’s in Vietnam. Binh Duong enormously contributes to the health & wealth of the people. 

"The ambition of Binh Duong Smart City fits in what the world should strive for. Smart mobility is in that regard also an opportunity. Talent education is something that Netherlands is willing to contribute to. The city of Eindhoven is a good example for Binh Duong."

"The ambition of Binh Duong Smart City fits in what the world should strive for. Smart mobility is in that regard also an opportunity. Talent education is something that Netherlands is willing to contribute to. The city of Eindhoven is a good example for Binh Duong." Mr Stork noted that he is impressed by the speedy organization and roll-out of the vaccination campaign nationwide. 

Mr Stork also highlighted that The Netherlands has one of the largest ports in the world, with Rotterdam. He compared the two countries, mentioning that they are both delta countries, living at the end of two of the largest rivers in the World - Rhine and Mekong Delta. Both countries have to deal with infrastructural problems and the consequences of climate change, where the countries have a lot to exchange and share. Mr Stork commended the PC and authorities on the innovative nature and the willingness and accessibility of today, to work together with Dutch businesses and educational institutions. 

Lastly, Mr Stork expressed hope that together with EIPO and DBAV, the CG can be there to facilitate further contact, and happy to involve with that in the future. 

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From top left to bottom-right: Guido van Rooy, Executive Director DBAV; Daniël Stork, CG of The Netherlands; Gabor Fluit, CEO De Heus ASIA; Mai Hung Dung, Vice Chairman of the People Committee Binh Duong

Mr Mai Vice Chairman of Binh Duong Province, praised all businesses for discussing all information to connect better in the future. All the ideas and contribution were found very valuable. Sustainable growth in 2021 and first months of 2022, Binh Duong has overcome many challenges. Thanks to adequate vaccination program, Binh Duong have really improved the Covid-situation. 

"In the first quarter, economic growth was really good. Nearly 8% in first quarter and 10% growth opposed to last year. Despite pandemic, Binh Duong Province still tried to process necessary procedures to build another industrial park here. The connection between university and businesses is a topic of attention, we need to improve that to connect students. That is the next topic we need to cover in the coming time."

"In the first quarter, economic growth was really good. Nearly 8% in first quarter and 10% growth opposed to last year. Despite pandemic, Binh Duong Province still tried to process necessary procedures to build another industrial park here. The connection between university and businesses is a topic of attention, we need to improve that to connect students. That is the next topic we need to cover in the coming time."

Many Dutch market entrants ready to enter the market

On behalf of DBAV, Executive Director Guido van Rooy mentioned that DBAV has more than 115 members and many Dutch new market entrants are ready to enter the Vietnamese market.

"Binh Duong is the 2nd top FDI destination after Ho Chi Minh City. With thanks to the favourable conditions."

Together with the EuroCham Binh Duong chapter, and the Dutch Diplomatic Network, we are looking into how we can best promote Binh Duong to Dutch investors. Binh Duong is the 2nd top FDI destination after Ho Chi Minh City. With thanks to the favourable conditions. Mr Van Rooy asked: how do we keep the investment climate of Binh Duong attractive? Dutch businesses are specifically strong in agrofood and manufacturing. After this meeting, the DBAV will be keen to stand side by side with Binh Duong Province, Becamex and WTC Binh Duong New City. 

Peter Portheine, Director at EIPO, highlighted the sustainable economic future and role therein of the Binh Duong Government, to create conditions that need to be met for the high demand for skilled workforce. Mr Portheine expressed his interest in how Binh Duong and businesses can better connect the various developing communities.

Mr Portheine lauded the facilities of the Conference & Exhibition Center; the conference building, WTC exhibition center that can host all kinds of large and small events. 

Another remark was the importance of developing towards a green and sustainable future. Not only for quality of life, but also because of the need to comply with international laws, and because citizens demand that. Mr Portheine expressed the ambition create an agenda, how Binh Duong can create a broader awareness for a sustainable future among its various communities. A better understanding for the people of Binh Duong of a need for a more sustainable way of living needs to be created. 

Mr Portheine lauded the facilities of Becamex; the conference building, WTC exhibition center that can host all kinds of large and small events. 

Intro

Video from Binh Duong TV about the event