Vietnam is developing a green growth strategy that emphasizes human-centered, sustainable development associated with environmental protection and adaptation to climate change, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told the High-Level Meeting of the annual Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) on March 19 in Hanoi.

He expressed his gratitude for the companionship and mutual understanding of the domestic and international business community in undertaking Vietnam’s outstanding development journey over recent years, especially the effective two-way interaction between ministries, sectors, the government, and the business community

The Prime Minister emphasized that green growth associated with digital transformation is a global issue. “We therefore commit that even though we are a developing country in transition, we will act like a developed country, implement our international commitments seriously and effectively, focus on economic restructuring associated with growth innovation, save resources, study and learn from international experience, and apply suitable conditions to Vietnam’s conditions,” he said.

Green growth needs an appropriate roadmap that is feasible for each region and each person, and this requires support from the international community.

The Prime Minister expects that investors will continue to accompany Vietnam in overcoming the existing difficulties. At the same time, he wants investors to focus on building a corporate culture and a business culture, and the community to contribute to the development of Vietnamese culture as well as in economics and politics.

He affirmed that the government continues to be strongly committed to creating favorable conditions for businesses to develop, improving institutions, mechanisms, and policies to create a favorable and equal business environment and improve national competitiveness by removing difficulties facing businesses.

At the meeting, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that in recognizing the importance of green growth, Vietnam has quickly approached a sustainable development model. “In that process, the business community is identified as a key factor with an important role,” he added.

Many businesses have adopted “green” business as a strategy and competitive advantage, from using clean energy and environmentally-friendly materials and supporting socially-responsible activities to seriously investing in modern, high-tech, environmentally-friendly production lines that use less resources and energy and cut waste and emissions.

“Vietnam is entering a new stage of development, with many challenges and difficulties but also opportunities,” Minister Dung noted. “With foresight, great ambition, and major determination, Vietnam aims to become a high-income developed country by 2045. To achieve that, we need to be united, synergistic, and steadfast in effectively implementing the National Strategy on Green Growth in order to fulfill strong international commitments and continue to affirm our role as an active and responsible member of the international community.”

Mr. Pham Tan Cong, Chairman the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said that to become a developed, civilized, and modern country by the middle of this century, Vietnam must realize the twin goals of rapid and green development, with GDP growth maintained at 6-7 per cent per year, while green technology must be universally incorporated into economic activities.

“It is these development goals and requirements that create new development opportunities and space for the business community, including domestic and foreign businesses and international investors,” he emphasized.