HCMCity (VNA) - A ceremony to honourgreat contributions of European firms to Vietnam’s socio-economic developmentwas held by the European Chamber ofCommerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) in Vietnam on November 16 in Ho Chi MinhCity.

The event also aimed to review the operation of EuroCham since its establishment20 years ago.

Addressing the event, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen ThanhPhong highlighted the fruitful development of the Vietnam - European Union (EU)relationship over the last 28 years, as seen in the signing of the FrameworkCooperation Agreement between Vietnam and the European Council (EC)in 1995; the EU-Vietnam Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation in 2012, and the completion of negotiations on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement(EVFTA), which is pending signing by the EC and ratification by the EuropeanParliament.

Phong expressed his appreciation of EuroCham's goodwill and enthusiasm in promotingthe signing of the EVFTA as well as its role as the largest foreign businessassociation with the most active contributions in Vietnam.

EuroCham is an active member of the Advisory Council to the VietnamesePrime Minister on administrative procedure reform, and it also worksalongside the Vietnam Business Forum in supporting the reform of Vietnam’slegal framework, Phong noted.

The official spoke highly of the effectiveness of EuroCham's cooperation activitiesin Vietnam in general, and in HCM City in particular. He affirmed that the municipalauthorities have been building appropriate policies and mechanisms to create afavorable business environment for domestic and foreign enterprises, especiallyin the context that Vietnam has joined several new-generation free trade agreements.

For his part, Nicolas Audier, co-chairman of EuroCham stressed that EuroCham,with over 1,000 members, has become one of the biggest business associations inAsia.

Inrecent years, EuroCham has become a valuable voice of the community of Europeanbusinesses and investors to the Government of Vietnam, he said, noting that theties between EuroCham and central and local agencies of Vietnam, especially thePeople's Committee of HCM City, has contributed to continuous development ofVietnam.

Regarding EuroCham’s contributions to Vietnam’s development, Nicolas said the chamberhave made efforts to promote connection between European firms with the EU’scommittees, towards making Vietnam a key destination for European investors andtraders.

EuroCham is also actively involved in many lobbying activities to ensure thatthe submission process of the EVFTA to the European Parliament will be made beforethe European Parliament elections which is slated for May next year.

At the ceremony, EuroCham also recognised the most successful Europeancompanies with its first-ever Business Awards.-VNA