U.S. Trade Mission in Southeast Asia Continues in Vietnam with Focus on Clean Energy Transition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2022
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
publicaffairs@trade.gov
HO CHI MINH CITY – The Vietnam segment of the three-country Clean EDGE Asia Business Development Mission concluded today as a delegation of senior U.S. government officials and business executives wrapped a series of clean energy-focused bilateral engagements and meetings with prospective buyers, distributors, and investors.
Pamela Phan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia for the International Trade Administration, led the mission on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce. She was joined in Hanoi by U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director Enoh T. Ebong and representatives of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) for engagements with senior leaders at Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Central Economic Committee.
During these meetings, Phan lauded the country’s participation in the recently launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), a top Biden-Harris Administration priority to increase U.S. private sector engagement in the region. She also discussed the United States’ energy and climate priorities, Vietnamese investment in the United States, and the importance of secure, interoperable cross-border data flows.
“It is an important moment for Vietnam as this fast-growing and vibrant economy works toward a greener future,” said Phan. “The presence of these U.S. companies on this historic mission is a reflection of our deep commitment to helping the nation achieve its climate, energy, and sustainability goals.”
Ebong stated, “USTDA has been at the forefront of Vietnam’s energy sector development for more than 25 years. This mission has demonstrated the country’s tremendous potential to become a regional clean energy leader. Working with U.S. industry, USTDA intends to build its portfolio of sustainable infrastructure activities to support Vietnam’s dynamic economic growth and help achieve its long-term climate goals.”
EXIM representatives also noted the agency’s commitment to financing U.S. goods and services that that can support clean energy projects in Vietnam. “EXIM has worked with Vietnam in several other transactions to finance purchases of U.S. goods and services in the transportation and capital equipment sectors and looks forward to identifying projects in Vietnam to support clean energy initiatives going forward,” said Christopher Day, EXIM’s Senior Vice President.
During the mission, Phan held conversations with private sector representatives to gather input on opportunities to enhance commercial ties and overcome challenges U.S. businesses are facing in the Vietnamese market. In Hanoi, she met with the American Chamber of Commerce and the US-ASEAN Business Council to debrief on the mission and discuss the potential market opportunities and challenges for U.S. companies. In Ho Chi Minh City, she participated in a roundtable discussion on clean energy in Vietnam and met with the Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee. In both cities, she participated in a lunches with leading businesswomen for discussions on economic policies and ways to support women in trade.
Melissa Bishop, Charge d’affaires a.i. of the U.S. Mission to Vietnam, welcomed the delegation, stating: “A clean energy future in Vietnam is possible when governments and companies work together on solutions that meet our common goals of keeping our communities safe, securing our energy future, and being responsible stewards of our global environment.”
The mission’s final day will be Monday in Manila, Philippines. Earlier this week, the delegation traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia, for the mission’s first stop.
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About the International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has more than 2,200 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 75 markets worldwide. For more information on ITA, visit www.trade.gov.
