Swiss ep 25- seco speech

Short Summary:

This speech discusses the Swiss government's investment in international cooperation, specifically focusing on private sector development and improved labor conditions in Vietnam. Key points include the "why" behind this investment (constitutional mandate, potential for good, economic growth opportunities for Swiss companies), the "what" (supporting sustainable trade, innovation, and urban governance), and the "how" (through various programs focusing on sustainable trade, innovation, sustainable finance, and urban development). Specific technologies and examples mentioned include IoT applications in furniture manufacturing, digitizing urban planning, and blended finance programs for infrastructure development. The implications are improved economic conditions, sustainable growth in Vietnam, and potential synergies between Swiss and Vietnamese businesses. The speaker details their various programs and their impact, using examples to illustrate their effectiveness.

Detailed Summary:

The speech can be broken down into the following sections:

Section 1: Introduction and the "Why"

The speaker begins by explaining the Swiss government's investment in Vietnam's private sector development, emphasizing the distance (over 9,000 kilometers) and posing the question of why this investment is made. The audience offers insights, highlighting the potential for positive impact and economic growth. The speaker then expands on this, mentioning the constitutional mandate to combat poverty and contribute to a sustainable future as a key driver. The question of whether this is sufficient justification is raised, emphasizing the need to justify the substantial budget (roughly 11 billion Swiss Francs) to the parliament every four years. The speaker highlights Vietnam's potential for growth due to its large, young, and educated population. A participant notes the shared humanity as a motivator.

Section 2: The "What" and "How" – Swiss Activities in Vietnam

This section outlines the Swiss government's activities in Vietnam over the past 10 years, focusing on urban planning, agriculture, gender equality (a cross-cutting theme), and improving labor conditions in garment factories. The speaker emphasizes Switzerland's strengths in innovation and entrepreneurship and the alignment of their efforts with Vietnam's development needs. Examples of past projects are shown, highlighting the focus on creating impact and a return on investment. The speaker stresses the potential for synergies between Swiss and Vietnamese initiatives.

Section 3: Focus Areas and Examples of Projects

The speaker details the three main pillars of their current strategy: sustainable trade and innovation, sustainable public and private finance, and urban governance and resilience. Specific examples are provided:

Sustainable Trade and Innovation: Improving the productivity of Vietnamese companies, helping them retain more value within the country, and addressing sustainability challenges in export markets (e.g., durian exports to China). The speaker highlights the use of IoT and AI in digitizing the operations of furniture manufacturers.
Sustainable Public and Private Finance: Working with the Vietnamese government on fintech regulations, digitizing the banking sector, and mobilizing infrastructure investment through blended finance programs. The example of the Private Infrastructure Development Group and its impact is mentioned. Supply chain finance in agriculture is also highlighted.
Urban Governance and Resilience: Addressing challenges in urban areas like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on digitizing urban planning, promoting cleaner industrial practices, and implementing circular economy approaches. Wastewater treatment is given as an example. The speaker also mentions the SECO startup fund, offering support to startups with Swiss connections.

Section 4: Conclusion and Call to Action

The speech concludes by reiterating the significant impact of Swiss investments in Vietnam and highlighting the potential for further collaboration. The speaker emphasizes the return on investment and invites the audience to share ideas for future collaborations. The speaker expresses a desire for further collaboration and partnership. There is a clear call to action for the audience to share ideas and potential synergies.