Bao Tram: Thank you, Minister Dousa, for granting us this interview. What does the Swedish business community think about Vietnam's economic growth and investment opportunities here?

Minister Dousa: Well, back in Sweden everyone is talking about Vietnam. I mean just look at the past three decades. Your growth has been remarkable, a growth level of 7% per year, that's totally fantastic. We have 70 companies from Sweden that are active in the Vietnamese market right now, but I'm sure more will come in the next few years. I just met with several of the Swedish companies here and all of them are talking about investing even more in the Vietnamese market. So, the Swedish business community has a very positive outlook for Vietnam and that's one of the main reasons for me being here.

Bao Tram: What recent changes in Vietnam are encouraging Swedish firms to expand their operations here?

Minister Dousa: Several! First of all, you have very high growth numbers, your government is reforming, and things are moving in the right direction. You have a well-educated labor market, too. Your 100 million inhabitants provide many reasons to come here. 10 or 15 years ago, Swedish companies came here to produce things. They're still coming here to produce things but now they’re also doing research and development because you have so many talented engineers. I think the next level will be for Swedish retail companies to come here.

Bao Tram: Why does Sweden advocate free trade, and how has that policy influenced your innovation ecosystem and cooperation with Vietnam?

Minister Dousa: Well, I love free trade and I hate tariffs. In my book tariff is the worst word in the dictionary. It's through trade that we get more innovation and more scientific progress. Trade is one of the reasons Sweden is one of the most innovative countries in the world. I think in order to be innovative you have to have several institutions functioning. First of all, an open market and free trade. In Sweden we have one of the best-functioning ecosystems for capital markets in Europe. We have the most companies listed on our stock exchange in Europe even though we're not the largest country in Europe. And, of course, we have a good education system, too. Sweden has been a part of eight programs to help Vietnam build up those institutions and following your progress for the last three decades is one of the things were very proud of in Sweden. It’s fantastic and we’d like to be Vietnam’s partner for a thousand years to come.

Bao Tram: In which sectors do you see the greatest potential for future collaboration between our countries?

Minister Dousa: I think we can find several areas where we can collaborate – in the innovative sectors, in the green transition, in the digital areas – where Sweden has a lot to offer Vietnam. I've noticed that, just 10-15 years ago, most of the Swedish companies who came to Vietnam came to manufacture goods. Now I hear about Swedish companies that are service companies or that came to Vietnam to do research and development, so it's clear that Vietnam has moved up the value chain. Right now, there are thousands of reasons to come to Vietnam. You have heavy investment in infrastructure projects, you have some of the best talent in the world, you have a big market with a hundred million people. So I think we can build on our history and, looking into the future, do even more things together.

Bao Tram: What message will you take back to Sweden about Vietnam’s market potential?

Minister Dousa: The message I’ll take home to Sweden is that Vietnam is a great market and I think a lot more than the 70 companies that are already active here should come to Vietnam, invest in Vietnam, and trade with Vietnam. All the reforms going on right now are super interesting. Look at the world right now. There aren't many Vietnams right now – I mean countries that are growing at 7%. And you want to increase that to 8 or even 10%. That's fantastic! That's the message I’ll take home to Sweden.

Bao Tram: Thank you, Mr. Benjamin Dousa, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, for spending this time with VOV.

Minister Dousa: Perfect, thank you!