US business community confident in Vietnam’s efforts to contain Covid-19

The US business community is closely monitoring the Covid-19 epidemic in Vietnam and is confident that the Vietnamese government would succeed in containing the deadly virus, according to Alex Feldman, president and CEO of the US – Asian Business Council (US-ABC).

Overview of the meeting. Source: VGP.

This is the reason why this time a dozens of US corporations have come to Vietnam to look for business opportunities amid the cancellation of numerous international events worldwide due to Covid-19 fears. The visit also sends a message to the world that Vietnam is a safe destination, said Feldman in a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on March 4.

According to Feldman, there will be two delegations with 45 major US enterprises coming to Vietnam this week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has previously briefed the delegations on the epidemic in Vietnam, however, this trip would help US enterprises gain first-hand information on the actual situation in the country.

Feldman stressed although the world’s economy is going through a difficult period, the US business community remains a reliable partner for Vietnam in overcoming this challenge.

US enterprises fully support Vietnam’s participation in next-generation free trade agreements such as the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans–Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as these deal would bring benefits for US investors and companies, Feldman continued.

At the meeting, US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink highly regarded Vietnam’s efforts to contain the Covid-19 epidemic, saying both CDC and he himself are impressed with the capabilities and transparency of the Vietnamese government in preventing the epidemic.

Kritenbrink handed a letter from US President Donald Trump to Phuc explaining the postponement of the ASEAN – US summit was due to Covid-19.

The ambassador said the US appreciated Vietnam’s efforts to address issues related to bilateral relations, especially in trade.

Thanking the presence of the US enterprises and corporations at the meeting, PM Phuc said that in the last few months, Vietnam has been taking actions to ensure a more balanced and sustainable US – Vietnam trade relationship.

Vietnam is committed to creating favorable conditions for the success of US enterprises in the country, Phuc stressed.