Forbes hails Vietnam’s political, economic, diplomatic achievements
2/5/20
Forbes magazine in Israel recently ran article
entitled “Why should we think more about Vietnam?” that highlighted the
country’s political, economic, and diplomatic achievements and its successful
fight against COVID-19.
Lauding
Vietnam as one of the countries with the highest economic growth in the world,
standing at 7.02 percent last year, the article noted it has enjoyed an export
surplus for four consecutive years in the context of falling trade in many
countries.
Forbes
said Vietnam has made much progress in improving its business environment and
restructuring its economy over the past decade. The Global Competitiveness
Index 2019 revealed the country had jumped ten places since 2018 to 67th,
making it the most improved country.
The
World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business report, meanwhile, ranked Vietnam 70th out of
190 economies based on two main factors: improved access to credit information
through data distribution from retailers and upgraded information technology
infrastructure that makes paying taxes easier for most businesses.
Its
improved business environment has also helped it attract more foreign
investment. Pledged FDI surpassed 38 billion USD last year; a ten-year high and
representing a year-on-year increase of 7.2 percent.
According
to the article, Vietnam has signed 12 free trade agreements to date, including
“new-generation” deals with broader commitments. Impressively, the EU signed a
landmark free trade agreement with the country in June 2019 - the first of its
kind with a developing country in Asia and paving the way for tariff reductions
on 99 percent of all goods shipped between the bloc and Vietnam.
Vietnam
is also a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for
Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), it noted.
Lauding
Vietnam’s achievements in terms of how the country dealt with the coronavirus
outbreak, Forbes quoted the Financial Times as saying that “Vietnam has proved
a model in containing the disease in a country with limited resources but
determined leadership.”
Vietnam
shares a 1,100-km-long border with China but had reported only 270 infections
and no fatalities as at April 25, it said, adding that succeeding in containing
the COVID-19 pandemic domestically allows Vietnam to have more room to play its
key role in regional and international diplomatic forums.
Last
year, with 192 out of 193 votes, Vietnam was officially elected as a
non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term. This is
the second time it has held the post, demonstrating its desire to contribute to
global security and peace and proving it is a responsible member of the UN.
Vietnam is also Chair of ASEAN in 2020 - the first time it has held the two
positions at the same time. This presents an opportunity for it to take
advantage of bilateral relations with other countries and create new momentum
for enhancing its role and profile.
Vietnam
was among the first in the world to reopen its economy following the COVID-19
outbreak, on April 23. It has maintained socioeconomic stability in recent decades
and its favourable business environment and free trade agreements are expected
to help increase foreign investment in the future.
International
investors should consider investing in Vietnam, Forbes added, as many other
countries are now struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic and the possibility of
economic recession./.
All comments [ 2 ]
This is undeniable, no one can argue!
Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar has also highly appreciated Vietnam’s achievements in the fight against COVID-19.
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