EVENTS

FNF Vietnam - A decade for Freedom and Economic Development

On November 14, 2022, in Hanoi, the 10th anniversary of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) office in Vietnam took place in Hanoi with the presence of his Excellency, Dr. Guido Hildner, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany. Besides, we are honored to welcome Mr. Phan Anh Son, Vice-Chairman of the Committee for Non-Governmental Organisation Affairs, Vice President-General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations. In addition, the event was honored to welcome leaders of many organizations, agencies, experts, and advisors who are long-term partners of the FNF Vietnam and representatives of many press agencies.

As a political organization with a history of more than 60 years founded in Germany and currently working in nearly 60 countries around the world, FNF is always committed to the goal of supporting Vietnam on the path to economic freedom, prosperity, and development. FNF was established in Vietnam in 2012, a year after Germany and Vietnam agreed on a strategic partnership with the "Hanoi Declaration" to pave the way for stronger cooperation in the political field, business, and civil society. In that context, the Former Deputy Chancellor of Germany, Mr. Philipp Rösler attended and witnessed the opening ceremony of the FNF office in Vietnam.

In Vietnam, FNF works with partners such as research institutes, major universities and regulatory agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Central Economic Commission, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the University of Economics and Business (UEB-VNU), Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (UEH), Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR), ... and some provinces such as Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Yen Bai, Hue, Can Tho, Nghe An. The goals and missions of FNF Vietnam include:

- Institutionalize policies on the market economy;

- Improve the business environment for the private sector;

- Promote the competitiveness and ability to attract investment of the locality;

- Promote free trade agreements between Vietnam and major markets in the world;

- Capacity building for disadvantaged students and women in entrepreneurship;

- Training Vietnamese experts through international exchange programs;

On the special occasion of the 10th anniversary, FNF Vietnam also welcomed a high-level delegation from Germany including FNF's CEO - Ms. Annett Witte; Head of International Department - Mr. René Klaff; and other FNF's Country Directors from Southeast Asia and East Asia to attend.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Annett Witte, FNF Chief Executive Officer, shared: “In Asia, Vietnam is among the fastest-growing economies. Here, the economy took off after the market economy reforms of 1986. These reforms were based on property rights, on developing the private sector and on market-principles - elements of the liberal values, which my foundation shares. Germany and Vietnam are a great distance apart. However, in our increasingly globalized world, distances become less and less important. A Free Trade Agreement connects us. The desire to strive connects us. And people connect us.”

Also on this occasion, FNF Institute was honored to receive the certificate of merit from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, recognizing the contributions and cooperation projects for the economic development of Vietnam in the past 10 years.