Deputy premier says developed Asian states can play vital role in helping others achieve sustainability goals.
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| ‘‘Knowing the effectiveness of new green technologies and the real cost of their use is very crucial for policy decisions and business strategy,’’ says Mr Nguyen. |
Vietnam, the new emerging tiger in Asean, is now looking toward "green development" and is seeking the help of leaders in the region to use the country as a base for research and development.
"I entirely agree with the idea that 'green development' ... must be a priority in the economic restructuring plans of countries in Asia and the world," Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan said recently.
"Vietnam is also taking steps to restructure the economy toward reducing a number of high energy- and resource-consuming enterprises and to replace them with energy-efficient ones making use of environment-friendly and cost-reasonable technologies."
He said Vietnam was looking for cost-effective energy sources and at recycling energy with a view to developing on a more sustainable basis.
However, he acknowledged that a "green divide" between developed and developing economies was a risk.
In Asia, he said, some countries including Japan and Korea have made great strides in promoting green development. "We suggest that those countries who are advanced in this field should share experience and provide technological support for those who are newcomers. Knowing the effectiveness of new green technologies and the real cost of their use is very crucial for policy decisions and business strategy."
Japan, South Korea and others could set up a joint development centres in Vietnam where such technologies could be tested and developed. Citing the example of Japan, he proposed a Japan-Asean green development promotion centre as a way to help countries formulate green technology policies and business managers to develop appropriate strategies.
"And later we might work together with advanced countries like Japan to set up green development centres in the less developed countries in Asia, in order to support and encourage local enterprises to adopt green technologies effectively."
Vietnam is willing to propose such centres in High-Tech Park Hoa Lac, Hanoi and other cities, he added.
The deputy premier acknowledged criticism that fast-growing Asia had become one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gases, which underlined the need to work on better technologies to help achieve reduction targets.
He said that the current focus of countries in the region was on business incentives and facilitation, which had helped the economies of Southeast Asia reduce the impacts of external shocks while also attracting more foreign direct investment flow.
The question now, he said, was that as the recovery from the global recession took hold, what measures are needed to promote more sustainable development model to keep Asia the most dynamic region in the world?
Currently, intra-Asian trade continues to be a vital source of strength for the Vietnamese economy.
Asia, he said, has gone through many ups and downs in its development history and faced a lot of economic turbulence. "However, after each crisis, we see the outstanding recovery and progress of the region. At this moment, Asia is recognised as the major force for global growth and a dynamic region full of vast potential."
The quick recovery capability of Asia also reflects the self-help efforts of each country and mutual assistance through co-operation and economic partnership frameworks.
"It is my hope that Asian countries will keep the spirit of mutual understanding, respect and assistance, generate synergy, join hands and be open in co-operation to overcome difficulties together and lay the groundwork for development of the whole region in the years ahead," he said.
The deputy premier also used the address to promote his country's investment appeal as a sizable market nearly 90 million customers, a skilled, hard working and eager-to-learn workforce of more than 35 million, political stability and a reforming government.
These traits, he said, had helped Vietnam become one of Asia's leading economies.
Its trade with East Asian economies has risen dramatically over the years and now accounts for about 53% of Vietnam's total trade revenue. The figure would be 56% if Australia, New Zealand and India were included.
From 2004 to 2008, two-way trade volume between Vietnam and East Asia increased from US$32 billion to $82 billion, he said.
East Asia is also the major resource of FDI inflows to Vietnam. As of the end of November 2009, East Asian countries' FDI inflows to Vietnam amounted to $88 billion with $26 billion committed, accounting for 53% of registered and 47% of committed capital.
"We are very much delighted with the vital and dynamic growing relations between Japan and Southeast Asia in recent years," the deputy premier said.
He pointed to the Asean-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement signed in 2008, while the Mekong-Japan Co-operation pact was established and lifted to the highest level with the first Mekong-Japan Summit in Tokyo late last year.
As such, Vietnam-Japan relations continue to grow strongly and comprehensively.
As of April this year, Japan had invested in 1,211 FDI projects in Vietnam worth a total of $19.34 billion registered with $9 billion implemented capital, ranking first among 84 countries and territories investing in the country.
In 2008, two-way trade volume reached $17 billion - well ahead of the $15-billion target that the Hanoi government had earlier expected to achieve by 2010.