On December 18th, in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), in collaboration with the Bulgarian Embassy in Viet Nam, organized a conference to summarize the project "Promoting cooperation with the EU market and encouraging the implementation of sustainable development models in Vietnamese enterprises".

The project contributes to enhancing the capacity of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, in accessing the EU market according to sustainable development standards.

In her opening remarks, VCCI Secretary General Tran Thi Lan Anh emphasized that the project is being implemented in the context of Viet Nam accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and taking advantage of opportunities from the EVFTA Agreement. The overarching focus is on supporting Vietnamese businesses to adopt inclusive business models, comply with EU environmental, social, and governance standards, thereby enhancing their competitiveness and position in the global value chain.

According to the VCCI Secretary General, the project has directly contributed to promoting understanding and implementation of the EVFTA – a new generation agreement with very progressive chapters on Sustainable Development and labor.

Through dialogue forums and guidance materials, hundreds of Vietnamese businesses have been equipped with the knowledge to meet the stringent requirements of the EU regarding food safety and hygiene (SPS), rules of origin, and environmental and social standards. This not only opens up vast market opportunities but also helps to enhance the internal capacity and position of Vietnamese businesses in the global value chain.

The project has demonstrated that cooperation with the EU is not just about trade, but also about sharing values, governance experience, and working together towards a green, circular, and responsible economy .

Furthermore, the project is a vivid and concrete testament to the traditional and ever-growing cooperative relationship between Viet Nam and Bulgaria. Bulgaria's support through this project goes beyond financial contributions; it also demonstrates the companionship and shared commitment of an EU member state to Viet Nam on its path to integration and sustainable development. The project has laid an important foundation for building trust and fostering more direct connections between the business communities of the two countries.

Representatives from VCCI affirmed that they will continue to maintain channels for consulting and connecting businesses with EU and Bulgarian partners, while also transferring project results and recommendations to relevant agencies to refine policies supporting sustainable business development. This is considered an important stepping stone for Vietnamese businesses to integrate more deeply into the EU market in a green and sustainable manner.

Bulgarian Ambassador to Viet Nam Pavlin Todorov affirmed that Bulgaria values its partnership with Viet Nam in promoting economic and trade cooperation linked to sustainable development. Sharing experiences and best practices from the EU not only helps Vietnamese businesses access the market but also opens up opportunities for long-term cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.

According to the summary report, over the past year and a half of implementation, the project has carried out a series of practical activities such as: organizing the National Forum on Sustainable Development and Viet Nam-EU Partnership, updating new EU policies such as CSRD, guiding businesses in implementing the EVFTA, compiling a handbook on exporting wood products to the EU, organizing inter-regional workshops and training programs on digital transformation linked to sustainable development goals. Hundreds of businesses have been equipped with knowledge about environmental, social, food safety standards, rules of origin, and transparency requirements of the EU market.

Source: Dai Bieu Nhan Dan News

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