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COVER STORY

UP FOR DISCUSSION The pandemic highlighted the
importance of infrastructure writ
large, particularly transportation
and energy infrastructure, in maintaining
Representatives from foreign chambers of commerce and industry in economic growth and resilient supply
Vietnam and other stakeholders shared their thoughts on energy and chains. Our members value the investments
other topics during the recent Vietnam Business Forum (VBF). Vietnam is making to improve transporta-
tion infrastructure, including ports, air-
ports, roads, and bridges. We recommend
additional measures to streamline customs
clearance and other port logistics proce-
dures, as well as the consideration of
more flexible entry procedures for air
cargo personnel. Projects that have been
delayed due to Covid should be given
some consideration, such as tolling the
FiT (feed-in-tariff) deadline to match the
period of Covid-caused delay. This is
important to show future investors how
Vietnam supports those investors who
have, so far, done what they can to meet
their commitments. Infrastructure and
energy are vital to securing sustainable
growth in Vietnam. %

MR. JOHN ROCKHOLD,
Chairman of the American Chamber
of Commerce (AmCham)

Vietnam is recording important
PHOTO: VIET TUAN
achievements inregaining growth
We wish to express our admiration In line with previous years, we would momentum thanks to the increase
for the leadership shown by the also like to emphasize the circular economic in trade turnover and rapid economic recov-
Vietnamese Government at model, which has already been applied in ery despite the difficult circumstances caused
COP26, with commitments made to be car- the EU for several years, as a new reference by the pandemic domestically and interna-
bon-neutral by 2050 and to eliminate coal point for future production and consump- tionally. To accelerate economic growth and
power usage. I was lucky to be in Glasgow tion. We are therefore delighted that the investment revitalization, it is necessary to
as part of the Vietnamese delegation. These new Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP on imple- provide an environment that meets global
comments have been praised by both COP26 menting the Law on Environmental Pro- standards and in which companies can
President Alok Sharma and First Vice Pres- tection, issued on January 8, mentions the invest and quickly respond to changes in
ident of the European Commission Frans circular economy. This is a forward-looking circumstances.
Timmermans, as expressed during his dis- step towards making Vietnam a trusted Since the UN Climate Change Confer-
cussion with Prime Minister Pham Minh sustainable and progressive partner. To ence of the Parties (COP26) last year, dis-
Chinh. Despite this, the Power Development continue to work towards and meet the cussions on sustainable and eco-friendly
Plan (PDP) VIII calls for high levels of fossil goals set by the Vietnamese Government, energy development are being conducted
fuel imports alongside a modest amount of the cooperation of Vietnamese, European, very actively in Vietnam. I learned that
offshore wind power capacity. This relative and other international business partners Vietnam is also opening up various possi-
lack of ambition could result in unnecessarily is a must. To this end, EuroCham will bilities regarding new and renewable
high-power production costs. host an event in the fourth quarter of the energy, LNG, hydrogen, and small reactors,
year called GEFE 2022, which will act as a in addition to existing thermal power
Therefore, we strongly recommend that the channel for dialogue both within the busi- plants. Currently, many South Korean
government: ness community as well as between busi- energy enterprises are promoting the con-
• Implements a halt to new coal-power nesses and the government, for us to think struction of LNG power plants in various
plant approvals in the draft PDP VIII. together to achieve clean, smart, and sus- regions, including Quang Tri in the central
• Allows power consumers access to clean tainable solutions that benefit the Viet- region and elsewhere in the northern and
energy by implementing DPPAs (Direct namese people now and in the future.” % southern regions. %
Power Purchase Agreements) in pilot schemes
and by reducing front-end regulatory barriers
to behind-the-meter clean energy production. MR. ALAIN CANY, MR. KIM HAN-YONG,
Offshore wind is also highly recommended. Chairman of the European Chamber Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce
of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) in Vietnam (KORCHAM)

18 | VIETNAM ECONOMIC TIMES | APRIL 2022 www.en.vneconomy.vn