Leading US corporations take part in Vietnam business forum

Senior officials of 18 leading US corporations who are visiting Vietnam will participate in a forum on the country’s business opportunities, in Hanoi May 3 and 4.
The 35-strong US delegation is the biggest since the US normalized trade relations with Vietnam and Vietnam’s admission to the World Trade Organization five months ago.

Its members include representatives of Boeing, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, IBM, Time Warner, Abbott, Ford, and General Electric, among others.

The forum, themed “Vietnam – a bright future for US businesses” is being held by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry and the US-ASEAN Business Council.

Planning and Investment Minister Vo Hong Phuc, Industry Minister Hoang Trung Hai, Deputy Trade Minister Luong Van Tu and many senior government officials are to take part in the forum.

These officials also are to meet with the delegations to discuss investments opportunities.

In a recent interview with local VietnamNet newswire, Frances A. Zwenig, Counselor of the US-ASEAN Business Council, said she expected the participating US corporations would focus on how Vietnam would carry out its WTO commitments.

They would also pay special attention to intellectual property in the country.

Besides, “President Nguyen Minh Triet plans to visit the US this June. We want to know which contracts will be signed during his visit. As for US companies, we know at least six contracts are ready for signing,” Zwenig said.

She also said that the US groups would bring high-quality sources of investment in important fields in Vietnam like infrastructure, financial services, information technology, and education.

Thanh Nien News