During the trip, Sikela will attend the EU-Vietnam Business and Investment Forum on March 24, where European officials and businesses are expected to announce new investment initiatives in the country.
Promoting investment under Global Gateway
Ahead of the visit, Sikela said Vietnam is an ambitious country with a rapidly growing economy, a young population and significant development potential.
He noted that the EU aims to create new economic opportunities for young people and help build a more sustainable economy by investing in clean energy and modern transport systems. European companies and investors are being encouraged to turn these ambitions into concrete projects that generate jobs and support Vietnam’s green transition.
The forum will focus on clean energy and sustainable transport, two priority sectors of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy in Vietnam.
These areas also support Vietnam’s commitments under the Just Energy Transition Partnership, in which the European Union is one of the co-leading partners.
Strengthening EU-Vietnam economic ties
The forum aims to deepen economic cooperation between Europe and Vietnam while supporting the country’s transition towards a digital and sustainable economy with strong long-term growth.
The event is expected to gather senior policymakers from the EU and Vietnam, business leaders, investors and international partners to explore new opportunities for trade and investment, introduce concrete projects and build long-term business partnerships.
About 500 delegates and experts are expected to attend, including representatives from EU institutions, Vietnamese government agencies, leading European and Vietnamese companies and international financial organisations.
Global Gateway investment strategy
The Global Gateway strategy is the EU’s flagship initiative to close global investment gaps and promote smart, clean and secure connectivity in areas such as digital technology, energy and transport. It also seeks to strengthen healthcare, education and research systems.
Under a “Team Europe” approach, the strategy brings together the EU, its member states and European development finance institutions. The programme aims to mobilise up to EUR 400 billion in public and private investment between 2021 and 2027.
The EU-Vietnam Business and Investment Forum in Hanoi will carry the theme “Investing together for a sustainable future”, reflecting growing economic ties between the two sides after their relationship was recently elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership.