Ambassador of Norway to Vietnam, Ms. Siren Gjerme Eriksen.
(Photo: the Embassy of Norway)
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On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2016, Ms. Siren Gjerme Eriksen shared her views about the achievements Vietnam gained in 2015 and plans for the Vietnam-Norway cooperative relationship in 2016 with the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper.
Reporter: In your opinion, what is the highlight of Vietnam’s economic achievements in 2015?
Ambassador Siren Gjerme Eriksen: In 2015 Vietnam made great achievements in its ambitious trade negotiating agenda, paving the way for further international integration, trade and investment.
The World Bank projects that Vietnam also is among the countries with the strongest growth prospects for the 2016-2018 period. The country has so many qualities going for it, among them a central position in Asia, a hard-working people and young population. Vietnam’s success in pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals and coordination of the new Socio-Economic Development Plan cycle provides a strong foundation for embracing the Sustainable Development Goals.
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight that in Norway’s experience, and that of many other countries, gender equality is a very important driver of economic growth. The most important determinant of a country’s competitiveness is its human talent, the skills and productivity of its workforce. Ensuring the healthy development and appropriate use of all of the country’s available talent pool has a vast bearing on how competitive a country may become.
Reporter: 2015 marks an important time for Vietnam’s economic integration process in the region and the world. In your view, how do Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) affect Vietnam in 2016? What should Vietnam do to take all benefits from the FTAs?
Ambassador Siren Gjerme Eriksen: Vietnam’s economic integration is remarkable. Joining the ASEAN Economic Community, agreeing on comprehensive free trade agreements with the EU and in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) as well as a number of other agreements all in one year, show that Vietnam acknowledges the importance of international trade and investment for economic growth. Comprehensive free trade agreements like the one Vietnam is negotiating with Norway though EFTA (European Free Trade Association, consisting of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland), give investors confidence to invest in a market, thereby creating local job opportunities, adding value and contributing to development. Free trade agreements open up market opportunities for Vietnamese products and help Vietnam develop as an internationally competitive economy.
There is untapped potential for Vietnamese businesses to compete on the global stage. Countries, including Vietnam, benefit the most from free trade agreements if they are able to create goods to export, ensure good framework conditions for investors, open their economy in a sustainable way, promote transparency, implement responsible environmental and tax policies, and ensure that national regulations are consistent with WTO and free trade agreement regulations. In partnership with other countries, like Norway, Vietnam can take further positive strides towards becoming an even more modern and industrialised society based on equality and inclusiveness.
Reporter: Which fields are Norwegian enterprises interested in investing in Vietnam? And what do you think Vietnamese enterprises could do to attract more investment from Norway?
Ambassador Siren Gjerme Eriksen: Several Norwegian companies are already doing business in Vietnam and contributing to local employment opportunities and value creation. We see increasing interest among Norwegian companies for engagement in Vietnam in many areas such as the maritime, fisheries and aquaculture sectors; petroleum sector; ICT; and environmental technology.
Norway and Vietnam are both maritime nations and share a strong interest in the marine and maritime sectors. These are sectors of further potential. Norway has one of the most well-developed maritime clusters in the world, and Norwegian shipowners, shipyards and ships equipment producers have been focusing on Vietnam. Both Norway and Vietnam are among the world’s top ten seafood producers. Norway has one of the most developed aquaculture industries in the world, and many companies have established business and cooperation with Vietnamese companies to assist in developing the Vietnamese aquaculture sector into being more sustainable and producing high-quality seafood for the world market.
Norway also has a very strong oil and gas industry with services and products available for the Vietnamese oil and gas industry, not at least related to sub-sea development, enhanced oil recovery technologies and advanced production methods. Our telecom industry is among the most advanced in the world with a significant footprint in Asia.
Across all industries, Norway emphasizes an approach based on sustainable development, including environmental protection and implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility into our businesses and society. I believe Norway’s and Norwegian companies’ experience within these fields could be of significant value for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s industry in many sectors.
To further attract Norwegian investors, the work for greater transparency and integrity, increased skills and productivity should continue in Vietnam. Input from businesses to the government on how to improve the framework conditions are also important. The electronic systems for tax collection are good examples of steps Vietnam has taken in 2015 to improve conditions for trade and investment.
As mentioned earlier, the EFTA countries - Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland - and Vietnam are currently negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA). The early conclusion of a comprehensive and modern FTA will be an important tool in realizing the significant potential for further trade and investment between our countries.
Reporter: Could you please share with us the cooperation plan and major programmes that Norway will realize in 2016 to further promote bilateral relations between the two countries?
Ambassador Siren Gjerme Eriksen: In 2016, Norway and Vietnam celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations, with a long history of cooperation and exchange. Norway was one of the first European countries to establish bilateral relations with Vietnam. Our long-term development cooperation has created strong links between our societies in a broad range of areas. Our two countries hold bilateral consultations at the political level on a regular basis. The visit of Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg to Vietnam in April 2015, on invitation from the Prime Minister of Vietnam, further strengthened relations between our countries and laid the foundation for increased cooperation and partnership, which we hope to build on in 2016.
Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg on her visit to the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.
(Photo: Unicef Vietnam)
Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg was also in Vietnam in her capacity as co-chair of the UN Secretary General’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Advocacy Group, and is now co-chair of the new Advocacy Group for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). During her visit, Prime Minister Solberg praised Vietnam for its achievements in reaching the MDGs. Our common efforts to implement the SDGs and make sure that no one will be left behind will require strong commitment and innovative, massive and smart investments that take us in the right direction.
Both Norway and Vietnam aim at being responsible member of the international community and are supporters of a strong and efficient UN. Vietnam’s participation in United Nations’ Global Peacekeeping illustrates well Vietnam’s global commitment. Other examples are Vietnam’s quite recent ratification of UN Convention against Torture and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Norway looks forward to the full implementation of the human rights commitments that Vietnam has voluntarily taken upon herself.
Another important area where we cooperate is on climate change. We are the last generation that still has a chance to stop irreparable damage to our climate. Norway and Vietnam both work to address climate change and follow up the global agreement that was reached in Paris in December 2015. Norway and Vietnam will work together to tackle climate change in line with the agreement reached at COP 21 in Paris, including the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).
I see many opportunities to enhance trade and investment between our two countries and further strengthen our bilateral cooperation. I hope that we will be able to conclude the free trade agreement this year. Trade and investments are key to ensuring growth, development and prosperity. Increased economic engagement will benefit both the Vietnamese and Norwegian economies, and create opportunities for exchange of ideas and experiences.
Vietnam is an important member of ASEAN and is taking an increasing role in the global arena which opens up new areas of cooperation. Norway became a sectoral dialogue partner to ASEAN at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in August. ASEAN is Norway’s 4th largest trading partner, and being an ASEAN partner is very important for Norway. Norway looks forward to developing the partnership with ASEAN and with Vietnam and the other ASEAN member states.
2016 is a year of importance for Vietnam, with the new political leadership and the election to the National Assembly. Continuing progress, economic growth and enhancing the welfare of the people, including minority groups, will remain important in the year of the Monkey. On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2016, I welcome improved welfare, prosperity and happiness for the people of Vietnam, and continued strong friendship and cooperation between Norway and Vietnam.
Reporter: Thank you so much and also wish you a happy and prosperous year of the Monkey!