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ASEAN states unite for future economic stability
Published
2 months agoon
Vietnam and ASEAN member states are jointly deploying measures to boost the region’s economy, with a focus laid on completing the upgrade of a regional agreement to expand trade and investment.
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ASEAN states unite for future economic stability |
At last week’s ASEAN Future Forum 2025 in Hanoi, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim stated that member states need to further cement cooperation, especially in trade and investment, amid ongoing global risks such as the US-China trade war and the US’s new tariff policies.
“Overdependence on any single market will cause risks to ASEAN member states,” he said.
One of the solutions heard at the event is that efforts are to be made to agree the upgrade of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) this year.
ASEAN ministers tasked the negotiating committee for the upgrade with expediting and concluding discussions on the outstanding issues by March 31. Following this, a legal review process will commence, aiming for ASEAN countries to sign the upgrade agreement during the ASEAN Summit in November.
Vietnam became an ASEAN member in 1995 and began following what became the ATIGA soon afterwards. Under the deal, ASEAN member countries grant each other preferential treatment equivalent to or more favourable than the benefits given to partner countries in the free trade agreements ASEAN has signed.
Beyond tariff commitments, the agreement also covers a wide range of areas, including the elimination of non-tariff barriers, rules of origin, trade facilitation, customs, standards and conformity, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
However, though the ATIGA is being upgraded to help facilitate intra-trade and investment flows, the US government’s decision to impose punitive tariffs on major trading partners will impact Southeast Asia, and the region’s export-dependent economy could face long-term repercussions, experts said.
Wider impacts
US President Donald Trump has already inflicted an additional 10 per cent on imported Chinese goods, and is seeking to place 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico after originally stalling the plan for a month. While ASEAN members will not be directly hit by such tariff increases, the plans could slow down global trade, reducing export revenues and investment inflows for ASEAN.
According to ASEAN Briefing, under consultancy firm Dezan Shira & Associates, a potential resurgence of tariffs could disrupt global supply chains, prompting Chinese firms to relocate production to ASEAN markets. This strategy would protect Chinese exports while boosting ASEAN’s role as a global manufacturing hub.
“However, ASEAN exporters, especially in electronics, textiles, and consumer goods, could face tariffs if perceived as conduits for Chinese-made products,” ASEAN Briefing said. “Vietnam’s electronics and textile exports, Malaysia’s semiconductor production, and Indonesia’s automotive parts sector may come under scrutiny. To avoid such risks, ASEAN economies must diversify export markets and strengthen regional trade agreements.”
Carlyle A. Thayer, emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales, said that there are two types of Trump tariffs that could affect Vietnam.
“The first is a direct tariff on Vietnamese goods exported to the United States. The second is massive US tariffs on China that depress Chinese consumption for Vietnamese exports and/or lead China to dump goods on the Vietnamese market,” Thayer said.
Vietnam has already indicated it is amenable to buying more goods from the United States, including liquefied natural gas, aircraft and aircraft engines, and military aircraft and unmanned platforms.
ASEAN ministers have introduced 14 priority economic deliverables in various sectors, embracing agriculture, tourism, energy, intellectual property, small- and medium-sized enterprises, digital transformation, as well as initiatives to strengthen supply chains and narrow the development gap among ASEAN member states.
When it comes to trade, the ministers have agreed to further open markets to ensure food security and strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the regional supply chain; not use new non-tariff measures; build up foundations for intra-bloc trade facilitation to support supply chain connectivity; and utilise digital technology and commerce to support businesses.
According to Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, an upgraded ATIGA will ensure the agreement’s continued relevance amidst emerging trends, better facilitate ASEAN trade flows, advance regional economic integration, and maintain ASEAN centrality amidst a shifting global environment.
The updated version will cover tariff liberalisation, rules of origin, non-tariff measures, trade facilitation, customs, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and trade remedy measures.
The EU-ASEAN Business Council (EABC) has suggested that, regarding trade liberalisation under the ATIGA, specific measures should be explicitly included on the tariff-free treatment of reused, recycled, repaired, and remanufactured goods to speed up movement towards a circular economy in ASEAN.
“Remaining tariffs on some goods in some member states should be further eliminated to bring the ATIGA on par with other agreements that have been entered into subsequently,” the EABC said.
Under the existing ATIGA commitments, ASEAN member nations removed tariffs on 98.6 per cent of total goods and products in 2021. Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia have eliminated 99.3 per cent of tariffs, while Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam have eliminated 97.7 per cent. So far, the entire region has seen trade liberalisation.
It is suggested that balanced relationships with both the US and China position the region to attract steady foreign funding. In 2023, ASEAN recorded $230 billion in foreign direct investment, with Singapore ($159.6 billion), Indonesia ($21.6 billion), and Vietnam ($18.5 billion) as top destinations. Strengthening regional supply chains and easing business regulations will further enhance ASEAN’s attractiveness to investors.
In addition, a robust consumer base supports domestic consumption and intra-ASEAN trade, fostering resilience against external shocks.
Attractive to investors
At last week’s ASEAN Future Forum, it was reported that as ASEAN progresses towards becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, the region presents unmatched opportunities for investors and businesses. Proactive reforms, strategic positioning, and a growing consumer class ensure ASEAN’s continued growth despite global challenges.
Vietnam’s total two-way trade with regional nations hit $83.9 billion in 2024, with the country suffering from a $9.9 billion trade deficit. Vietnam’s export turnover from ASEAN member states stood at $37 billion, up 13.7 per cent on-year, while the country’s import turnover reached $46.9 billion, up 14.7 per cent on-year.
In the first month of 2025, bilateral trade reached $6.8 billion, with Vietnam’s exports at $2.8 billion, down 14 per cent, and imports at $4 billion – up 10.5 per cent. This means a trade deficit of $1.2 billion. ASEAN is Vietnam’s third-largest trade partner.
The ASEAN Secretariat has commended Vietnam’s investment facilitation, which will help draw in more investment both inside and outside ASEAN.
“Vietnam’s government has continued to reform and take steps to further improve the country’s investment environment, including implementing resolutions and regulatory directives on strengthening information provision, simplifying processes, and reducing administrative requirements,” the secretariat stated.
According to Vietnam’s former Ministry of Planning and Investment, cumulatively as of late January, ASEAN nations have poured a great deal of investment into Vietnam, including Singapore with total registered capital of $84.14 billion, followed by Thailand ($14.35 billion), Malaysia ($13 billion), Brunei ($981.4 million), Indonesia ($670 million), the Philippines ($624.6 million), Laos ($102.5 million), and Cambodia ($76.8 million).
Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister
The ASEAN Future Forum 2025 is of great importance. It is held at the time of the 10th anniversary of the formation of the ASEAN Community, the 30th anniversary of Vietnam joining ASEAN, and also the year that it will adopt the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 to bring the bloc into a new era, towards a community that is self-reliant, innovative, and people-centred. From the five original founding members, after 60 years of development, ASEAN today has become a community of 10 countries united in diversity. It is the fifth-largest economy in the world, with the leading growth rate; the centre of regional and global integration processes; and a bridge of dialogue and cooperation for peace and development, actively contributing to shaping a new world order. In order for ASEAN to maintain its strong development momentum and realise its set goals, we propose three strategic priorities: strengthening ASEAN’s strategic autonomy through enhancing ASEAN’s solidarity and centrality; building an economically resilient ASEAN by renewing traditional growth drivers while encouraging new growth drivers, especially in sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation; and upholding ASEAN’s values and identity, such as the spirit of harmony, unity in diversity, and respect for differences. In addition, ASEAN also needs to make breakthroughs in action. Specifically, it is necessary to build a more flexible, effective, and responsible decision-making mechanism; encourage public-private cooperation to mobilise all resources for regional development; and further enhance connectivity within ASEAN, particularly in infrastructure connectivity, people-to-people exchanges, and institutional harmonisation for transparency. Its three-decade participation in ASEAN has asserted Vietnam’s correct strategic vision. ASEAN has become a strategic space and a natural development environment for Vietnam. For its part, Vietnam has always been an active and responsible member in consolidating solidarity, enhancing the central role, and encouraging the sustainable development of ASEAN. There is a proverb in Vietnam: ‘One tree alone cannot make a hill, but three trees together make a mountain’. It is necessary to underline the solidarity, unity, cooperation, vitality, and strategic value of ASEAN. Vietnam will continue to work with member countries, partners, and international friends to continue to write new, proud pages in ASEAN’s development journey. |
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Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched
Published
14 hours agoon
April 27, 2025Bac Giang International Logistics Centre was launched on April 22 with an investment of $168 million, and is expected to become a crucial link in the global supply chain.
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Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launch |
Being invested by CNCTech Group, Dolphin Sea Air Services Corporation and Thien An Investment JSC, the logistics centre is located on National Highway 1A, which boasts first-class warehouse supply to meet the growing demand in the northern Vietnamese market.
Its strategic position within the golden economic triangle of Hanoi – Haiphong – Quang Ninh provides convenient connectivity to industrial zones and key logistics centres via national highways No.1A and No.37.
The centre is designed to meet growing demand for logistics infrastructure from businesses in Bac Giang and neighbouring provinces, positioning the area as a new node in northern Vietnam’s logistics network.
The project is a strategic product as a key component of the logistics spearhead in CNCTech Group’s industrial and logistics infrastructure ecosystem. It has been approved by the prime minister as a national level-II logistics centre, covering a planned area of 67 hectares.
At the launch ceremony, Chairman of Bac Giang People’s Committee Nguyen Viet Oanh said, “In recent years, the province’s socioeconomic development has made remarkable strides. Transportation, urban, industrial, and social infrastructure have been synchronously invested in and have yielded high efficiency. However, the province’s logistics service sector has not yet matched its potential, advantages, and socioeconomic development level. The logistics system remains fragmented, transportation costs are high, and trade delivery times are prolonged.”
Recognising this bottleneck, the local authorities have focused on directing the robust development of the logistics system, incorporating it into the provincial plan. This includes developing eight comprehensive logistics centres covering nearly 500ha, three inland container depots, and 33 inland waterway ports.
“Bac Giang, with its strategic location between Hanoi and border provinces, has long been known as a dynamic industrial hub. The remarkable development of the province’s industrial parks has created a solid foundation for the establishment of Bac Giang International Logistics Centre. This centre is not only located on vital transportation routes such as Hanoi-Lang Son Expressway but also directly connects to major border gates, optimising the transport of goods from Bac Giang to the world,” said Oanh.
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A model of the logistics centre |
The project is not merely a warehousing facility, but also a symbol of the integration of modern infrastructure and advanced technology. The centre includes multifunctional warehouse areas, customs-controlled warehouses, non-tariff warehouses, and automated warehouses, meeting the needs of various industries. Notably, it integrates end-to-end logistics solutions, supporting businesses in optimising transportation costs and enhancing production efficiency.
With a long-term vision, the centre aims not only to optimise domestic supply chains but also to become a key connection point in the global logistics network.
Nguyen Van Hung, chairman of the Board of Members of CNC Tech Group, shared, “The establishment of this centre is a strategic step in developing Vietnam’s logistics infrastructure. We are committed to long-term and robust investment in this sector, as logistics is not just infrastructure but an indispensable part of enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses on the international stage.”
Vietnam has taken strong action to promote green development among businesses, amid the country facing challenges in finance and technology.
Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam told the fourth Summit of the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G), organised last week in Hanoi, that Vietnam is focused on strategic breakthroughs to prepare for a national development process that is fast, inclusive, and sustainable.
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The summit in Hanoi covered areas from finance and banking to agriculture and technology Photo: Dung Minh |
“We will strongly transform political commitments into practical actions, creating motivation for businesses and the whole society to participate in sustainable economic development, in which green institutions are the decisive foundation,” General Secretary Lam stressed at a hall attended by government leaders, UN representatives, diplomats, experts, and entrepreneurs.
General Secretary Lam also stressed that when it comes to green transformation, despite being a developing country with a transitional economy and limited resources, Vietnam has achieved some important results.
Besides making a 2050 net-zero commitment in 2021, Vietnam also endorsed six global initiatives at the time, on forest and land use, methane, clean power transition, sustainable food and agriculture, and more.
“Vietnam is now a leading country in supplying renewable energy in ASEAN, with wind and solar power capacity accounting for two-thirds of ASEAN’s total capacity,” he said.
“Additionally, Vietnam is also a good example of encouraging sustainable agriculture. The initiative to develop one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission specialised rice is a pioneering model that many partners and international organisations are interested in.”
A greener future
Vietnam is an active and responsible member of all multilateral mechanisms and major initiatives on green growth and energy transition such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and the P4G.
“However, as a developing country with a transitional economy, we also face many challenges in terms of financial resources, technology, personnel, and resilience to the impacts of climate change and geopolitical fluctuations globally,” said General Secretary Lam.
The summit adopted the Hanoi Declaration, strongly affirming commitments to sustainable growth with people at the centre, and a determination to collaborate responsibly in addressing current global challenges. Vietnam is expected to enjoy continued support from the international community in its journey to a green economy including energy transition.
According to the World Bank, to ensure sufficient funding for responding to climate change, mobilising domestic finance is possible, but external support is needed.
Overall, Vietnam’s total incremental financing needs for the resilient and decarbonising pathways could reach $368 billion over 2022–2040, or approximately 6.8 per cent of GDP per year.
The resilient pathway alone will account for about two-thirds of this amount, as substantial financing will be required to protect the country’s assets and infrastructure as well as vulnerable people.
The cost of the decarbonising pathway will mainly arise from the energy sector – investments in renewables and managing the transition away from coal might cost around $64 billion between 2022 and 2040. All the figures are in net present value terms at a discount rate of 6 per cent.
This $368 billion in financing needs will include $184 billion from private investments or about 3.4 per cent of GDP annually, $130 billion or about 2.4 per cent of GDP annually from the state budget; and $54 billion or about 1 per cent of GDP per year from external sources.
Choi Youngsam, South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, said that within the P4G framework, South Korea and Vietnam have completed or are currently implementing joint projects in areas such as food and agriculture, energy, water, and urban development.
“Looking ahead, both sides are expected to broaden and deepen their partnership under the P4G framework,” he said.
At the P4G Summit held in Seoul in May 2021, the two governments signed the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in Response to Climate Change, laying a solid policy foundation for the implementation of international emissions reduction ventures.
“On this basis, I hope that South Korea will leverage its technological expertise and financial resources to carry out greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in Vietnam, with both countries mutually recognising the results,” Ambassador Youngsam said.
“This would contribute to establishing a win-win model of emissions reduction cooperation. At the same time, I look forward to seeing active engagement from South Korean enterprises possessing green technologies, in close collaboration with the Vietnamese government.”
Encouraging developments
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh said at a policy dialogue on the sidelines of the P4G 2025 that the active participation and strong cooperation from stakeholders – from the public and private sectors to international organisations – can help materialise Vietnam’s aspiration of an efficient and sustainable innovative startup ecosystem.
“Innovation, creative entrepreneurship and collaboration are key to solving environmental problems, while encouraging the development of a circular economy,” he said.
Vietnam currently has over 4,000 innovative startups, including two unicorns valued at over $1 billion, 11 companies valued at over $100 million, more than 1,400 startup support organisations, 202 co-working spaces, 208 investment funds, and 35 business promotion organisations. Among these, it is estimated that around 200–300 companies focus on green transition, covering areas such as renewable energy, environmental technology, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosting the fourth P4G Conference is of great significance to Vietnam. It is aimed to boost its role as a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of P4G and the international community. Moreover, it is also aimed to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable development, energy transition, and the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Besides that, it is aimed at contributing to raising awareness of international cooperation and encouraging the role and voice of developing countries in the sector of green growth and sustainable development.
Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister
For Vietnam, together with digital transformation, we identify green transition as an objective necessity, a key factor, and a breakthrough driving force to promote rapid growth and sustainable development. This aligns with the strategic goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045, while also contributing to the gradual realisation of Vietnam’s commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. From practical experience with initial positive results, especially in renewable energy, green agricultural development, and participation in multilateral mechanisms and initiatives on green transformation, as the host of the fourth P4G Summit, Vietnam has three suggestions for discussions which pave the way for further cooperation in the coming time. First is to perfect green mindset, with a focus placed on the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation linked to green growth. This includes recognising that green resources stem from green thinking, green growth is driven by green transition, and green resources arises from the green awareness of people and businesses in nations and regions throughout the world. Second is to build a responsible green community, in which, the government plays a guiding role, encouraging, and ensuring a stable and favourable institutional environment for green growth. The private sector functions as a core investor into technological development and the dissemination of green standards. The scientific community take the lead in developing green technologies and training green human resources. Meanwhile, citizens continuously enhance their green awareness, truly becoming beneficiaries of the outcomes of green transformation. Thirdly, it is necessary to promote international cooperation and robust multilateral green cooperation models, particularly public-private partnerships, South-South cooperation, North-South cooperation, and multilateral cooperation frameworks. This is aimed at removing institutional barriers, enhancing access, and speeding up the flow of green capital, green technology, and green governance. Developed countries should take the lead in fulfilling commitments to provide financial, technological, and institutional reform support. Meanwhile, developing countries would need to leverage their internal strengths and effectively utilise external resources. |
Investing
Public-private partnerships a lever for greener innovation
Published
22 hours agoon
April 26, 2025Public-private partnerships are no longer a supporting mechanism, but a strategic pillar in the global pursuit of the green transition.
The high-level dialogue between government leaders and businesses at the 2025 P4G Vietnam Summit last week, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, brought together senior officials, global experts, international organisations, and private sector leaders.
They recognised that the climate crisis, digital transformation, and resource depletion are converging in ways that demand not only innovation, but deep and long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed acknowledged Vietnam’s leadership in renewable energy, noting its potential to attract trillions in sustainable investment.
“Emerging economies must accelerate the adoption of new investment models, particularly those that align private capital with green infrastructure priorities. Governments must work with the private sector to expand ambition, strengthen accountability, and deliver real impact,” she said.
From Italy, Prime Minister’s Climate Envoy Francesco Corvaro stressed that public-private partnerships (PPPs) are indispensable in addressing climate finance gaps. Drawing from Italy’s experience, he underscored the importance of public investment as a risk mitigator, enabling private sector participation in clean energy and smart infrastructure projects.
“Public investment can unlock private capital, but local authorities must lead with clear priorities and long-term vision,” Corvaro noted. “You can’t talk about renewables, AI, or digital infrastructure without modern, resilient grids, and that requires strong public-private alignment.” he said
Alejandro Dorado, Spain’s High Commissioner for Circular Economy, argued that the case for stronger PPPs lies at the intersection of two accelerating forces: the environmental-climate crisis and a wave of disruptive technologies.
“In a world where AI, green technologies, and digitalisation are reshaping the global economy, the clock is ticking. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we have less than a decade to prevent irreversible climate disaster. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum has identified biodiversity loss as one of the most severe economic risks,” he said.
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Dorado added that while multilateralism is being questioned or weakened in some quarters, the need for cooperation has never been more urgent – both to solve environmental challenges and to harness the transformative potential of innovation.
“No government or business can tackle these crises alone. Public authorities must provide the regulatory frameworks, fiscal incentives, and infrastructure deployment needed at scale to safeguard the common good,” he stressed.
From the business side, Stuart Livesey, country representative of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), provided a frank but optimistic outlook. Livesey stated CIP’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s transition, but emphasised the need for enabling conditions.
“What we seek are clear, bankable projects underpinned by stable regulatory frameworks, collaborating with strong local partnerships. This is where public-private cooperation becomes not just helpful, but essential,” Livesey noted. “Over the next 10-15 years, the offshore wind sector and green energy consumers will trigger massive demand for new technologies, digital solutions, and skilled labour.”
To meet this demand, CIP is investing not only in infrastructure, but also in capacity building, research and development, and local supply chain development through partnerships with Vietnamese universities.
Still, he acknowledged barriers. “Technological application and innovation in green projects face challenges, from long-term financing constraints and skilled labour shortages to fragmented policy signals. These are not unique to Vietnam, but they require proactive, tailored local solutions,” he said. “Addressing issues such as grid availability, regulatory clarity, and inter-ministerial coordination will be critical.”
Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, stated that the banking sector is ready to facilitate green finance, particularly in sectors aligned with national climate targets.
“We see ourselves as a bridge between global capital and local sustainability goals. The clearer the pipeline of bankable, climate-aligned projects, the faster we can move capital,” he noted. “What’s crucial now is consistency in policy and coordination among stakeholders to ensure these projects reach maturity.”

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