National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn Meets EU–ASEAN Business Council, EuroCham Delegation

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn on Monday received a high-level delegation from the European–ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) and the European Chamber of Commerce in Việt Nam (EuroCham), reaffirming Việt Nam’s strong commitment to maintaining a transparent, stable and favourable investment environment for European enterprises.

The delegation, led by EU-ABC Chairman Jens Ruebbert, comprised more than 120 representatives from over 40 major European corporations.

During the meeting, Ruebbert expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with Việt Nam’s top legislative leader and representatives of key ministries at a time when both sides aim to deepen cooperation in trade, investment and economic connectivity. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to Việt Nam over the heavy losses caused by recent storms and floods, expressing hope for the swift recovery of affected communities.

Ruebbert underlined the dynamic and comprehensive development of EU–Việt Nam relations in recent years. The EU remains one of Việt Nam’s leading trade and investment partners, while Việt Nam is the EU’s 16th largest global trading partner and the bloc’s biggest partner within ASEAN. The EU–Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has contributed to annual bilateral trade growth of 10–15 per cent.

He noted that European businesses highly value Việt Nam’s efforts to open its market, strengthen economic governance, maintain macroeconomic stability and accelerate digital transformation. These factors continue to position Việt Nam as a top investment destination in ASEAN, particularly in high-tech manufacturing, services and renewable energy. The meeting, he said, offered a timely opportunity for businesses to better understand Việt Nam’s strategic priorities and explore areas for deeper cooperation.

European firms raised several issues related to Việt Nam’s business and regulatory environment, including mechanisms to address bottlenecks in energy development for 2026–2030, regulations on pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements, draft legislation on disease prevention and preventive health funds, and the need for greater transparency in policymaking and regulatory impact assessments.

Chairman Mẫn affirmed that the EU and the European–ASEAN business community are important partners in Việt Nam’s pursuit of sustainable and effective international integration. Việt Nam, he stressed, remains committed to safeguarding political and socio-economic stability while building an independent, self-reliant economy that remains closely connected with the global system.

He highlighted strategic breakthroughs in institutional reform, infrastructure, human resources, science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as core drivers of the country’s development path. The National Assembly, he said, pays close attention to issues affecting the business environment and strives to refine laws and policies that support both domestic and foreign enterprises, including European investors. In addition to legislative work, the NA focuses on oversight and policy improvement to ensure a transparent, fair and predictable investment climate.

Thanking the delegation for its constructive recommendations, Chairman Mẫn pledged that the National Assembly would work closely with the Government to review and integrate their proposals, thereby creating a stable legal framework that supports the long-term success of European enterprises in Việt Nam.

He urged EU-ABC, EuroCham and their member firms to continue strengthening cooperation with Việt Nam, effectively implement the EVFTA and advocate for broader market opening. He also called on European businesses to encourage the remaining seven EU member states to ratify the EU–Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which would help create new momentum for investment ties.

Chairman Mẫn further requested support in urging the European Commission to soon lift its “yellow card” warning on Việt Nam’s seafood sector.

He encouraged enhanced exchanges between European business organisations and the Vietnamese legislature on institutional reform, regulatory transparency and economic policymaking. He also called for deeper cooperation in areas where the EU has strong capabilities, including green transition, digital transformation, high-quality workforce training, clean agriculture, smart urban development, renewable energy and sustainable fisheries.

The top legislator requested continued support for Vietnamese enterprises to integrate more deeply into EU supply chains through technology transfer, harmonisation of quality standards and partnerships with major European corporations.

Chairman Mẫn concluded that the National Assembly remains committed to listening to and addressing recommendations from the international business community, including European firms, as part of efforts to remove barriers, enhance competitiveness and build a transparent, flexible and business-friendly legal system that supports sustainable development and large-scale investment projects in Việt Nam.