Hai Phong, 15 July 2025 – The German Business Association (GBA) reaffirmed its commitment to fostering sustainable growth and innovation in Northern Vietnam by leading a 20-member delegation to Hai Phong for a high-level strategic dialogue and investment promotion conference.
Led by H.E. Ms. Helga Margarete Barth, German Ambassador to Vietnam, GBA Chairman Mr. Alexander Ziehe, Board Member Mr. Jan-Christian Koldehoff, and Executive Director Ms. Quynh Anh Le, the delegation engaged in open discussions with Hai Phong City leaders, co-organized by the Hai Phong People’s Committee and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
For our members, GBA’s presence at the event provided exclusive access to key decision-makers, creating new pathways for business partnerships and enabling German enterprises to help shape policies that foster a competitive and sustainable business environment in Northern Vietnam.
🔹 Morning Session: Strengthening Strategic Dialogue
Ambassador Barth marked 2025 as a significant milestone – celebrating 50 years of Germany–Vietnam diplomatic relations and GBA’s 30th anniversary – highlighting Germany’s strong interest in long-term partnerships with Hai Phong. Representing more than 400 German businesses, GBA Chairman Mr. Alexander Ziehe emphasized the city’s appeal for German investors, citing major projects by Magnetec, Messer, tesa, and ZF Automotive as clear proof of its growing attractiveness. He also presented five strategic recommendations to boost Hai Phong’s competitiveness: expanding Free Trade Zones (FTZs), advancing digital and quality logistics, streamlining administrative procedures, investing in smart industrial zones, creating a well-trained workforce, and future-ready infrastructure.
Key highlights:
- The implications of the Hai Phong–Hai Duong merger and the city’s vision for regional expansion.
- Developing next-generation infrastructure, smart IZs, and innovation-driven economic zones.
- Strengthening vocational training, university partnerships, and startup ecosystems through initiatives like Techfest.
- Encouraging R&D investment and fostering a skilled workforce to meet the demands of high-tech manufacturing and green-digital industrial clusters.
Vice Chairman of the Haiphong City People’s Committee Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong reaffirmed Hai Phong’s commitment to an enabling government, sustainable development, and strong collaboration with German businesses to accelerate green transition and digitalization.
🔹 Afternoon Session: Investment Promotion Conference “Hai Phong: Strategic Gateway to the New Era”
In the afternoon, the GBA delegation joined the Hai Phong Investment Promotion Conference, part of the 3rd Meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC 3). The event drew more than 1,000 high-level delegates, including the President of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Luong Cuong, Mr. Tran Luu Quang, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hai, and Mr. Pham Tan Cong, alongside ambassadors, consuls, and top international investors from Germany, the US, Korea, Japan, Singapore, and beyond.
Key highlights:
- Updates on Hai Phong’s new investment vision following the administrative merger and regional expansion.
- Presentation of new investment certificates & MOUs, including one awarded to GBA member INDOCHINA KAJIMA DEVELOPMENT LIMITED (Core5) — demonstrating strong German investor confidence.
- Testimonials from major investors and our close partner, EUROCHAM.
- A keynote address by President Luong Cuong emphasized that in a fast-changing geopolitical and technological landscape, Vietnam’s ability to adapt swiftly and embrace innovation is vital for sustained competitiveness and growth.
A Shared Vision for Sustainable, Innovation-Driven Growth
The dialogue and conference concluded in a spirit of transparency, collaboration, and shared vision for Hai Phong’s future as a strategic hub for advanced manufacturing, smart logistics, and green industrial transformation. GBA’s participation once again highlighted Germany’s strong and growing commitment to supporting Hai Phong in its next stage of sustainable urban and economic development. During the private dinner receptions Chairman Alexander Ziehe engaged further with the APEC organization team, VCCI, and ambassadors from various ASEAN nations to explore future collaboration opportunities for our members.
Explore the full materials and discover why Hai Phong is a prime location for the next investment:
- Portfolio of Priority Projects
- Strategic Investment Destination for a New Era
- A Strategic Investment Destination in Vietnam
Find the full photo album here
Stay tuned for more updates on GBA’s upcoming activities and continued engagement across Vietnam.