Jambon sees opportunities for Flanders in Vietnam
"Vietnam is a country with an enormously fast-growing economy, but this rapid growth also presents the country with enormous challenges, challenges that Flanders can help with," Flemish minister-president Jan Jambon said on Tuesday during the first day of his trade mission to Vietnam.
Jambon kicked off a multi-day visit to Vietnam in Hanoi, a day after US president Joe Biden visited the Vietnamese capital. Jambon is leading a delegation of 29 Flemish companies to find out what opportunities Vietnam has to offer.
Vietnam's economy has made a great leap forward in recent decades. Per capita income has risen from around 100 dollars in the mid-1980s to more than 4,000 dollars today.
But an annual economic growth rate of 6-7 per cent comes with its own challenges, such as infrastructure and energy. "The challenges are huge," says Jambon. "But they are challenges where Flanders has something to offer. These include climate technology, the circular economy and digitalisation."
Energy transition
"The country wants to be CO2 neutral by 2050, but if you know that coal is still being burned today, you also know that the challenge is huge," said Jambon.
"There is enormous potential for offshore wind. We have the technology and know-how to help Vietnam in this area"
The opportunities are equally huge, he said. Vietnam, for example, has more than 3,000 km of coastline. "There is enormous potential for offshore wind. We are already generating 2.5 gigawatts with our small coastline of 65 km. We have the technology and know-how to help Vietnam in this area."
#FlandersNewsService | Flemish minister-president Jan Jambon and Vietnamese Foreign minister Bui Thanh Son © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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