Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed Guy Bradley, chairman of the British multinational conglomerate John Swire & Sons (Swire Group), at the Government Office on the afternoon of October 24. The meeting highlighted Swire's expanding footprint in Vietnam’s vibrant economy.

Celebrating over 200 years of history, Swire Group reported a robust revenue of approximately $16 billion in 2022, signalling not only its global commercial success but also its dynamic operational diversity.

"Our longstanding relationship with Vietnam, flourishing over the last 25 years across various sectors, underscores our belief in the country’s potential and our commitment to contributing positively to its economy," said Bradley.

The PM congratulated the British group on its success and encouraged further expansion in key areas such as aviation services, trade and industry, logistics, real estate, healthcare, and the development of production, distribution, and retail networks within Vietnam.

He emphasised the importance of investing in human resource development, particularly fostering high-quality talent and practical cooperation with Vietnamese universities and vocational training institutions.

Highlighting the role of cutting-edge technology, prime minister Chinh urged Swire Group to augment the value-added component of its production line, boosting localisation and the utilisation of Vietnam's auxiliary technologies.

He also stressed the significance of integrating Vietnamese enterprises into Swire's global supply chain, urging a focus on renewable energy usage and a balance between economic development and social responsibility.

These initiatives, he noted, are crucial in aiding Vietnam's green growth objectives and effective climate change response.

Bradley provided an overview of Swire’s long-term operational plans in Vietnam, sharing insights into the Group’s commitments to sustainable development, green growth, and the circular economy.

“Since its inception in Vietnam in 1988, the group has been involved in various sectors, including aviation through Cathay Pacific (a subsidiary of Swire Group), real estate, and more recently, beverage production. In January, Swire Coca-Cola Ltd. acquired Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam Ltd., bolstering employment with over 2,000 direct and 20,000 indirect local jobs,” he shared.

Acknowledging Vietnam's continuously improving investment climate, Bradley expressed great confidence in the success of Swire's operations, "Our commitment to Vietnam is unwavering. We are keen to deepen our investments, particularly in the aviation and healthcare sectors, further contributing to the nation's development."

By Nhat Minh

Source: VIR

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