As negotiations on the Vietnam–EFTA Free Trade Agreement (FTA) approach their final stage, a delegation from the EFTA Parliamentary Committee (representing Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) visited DEEP C Industrial Zones in Hai Phong on 22 April 2026 to gain first-hand insights into Viet Nam’s industrial development and the growing role of sustainability in shaping future competitiveness.
The visit was initiated and led by H.E. Thomas Gass, Ambassador of Switzerland to Viet Nam, with the aim of providing EFTA parliamentarians with a practical understanding of the country’s rapid economic growth, the central role of industrial parks in its industrialization process, and the added value of aligning industrial development with ambitious sustainability standards. The visit also helped strengthen political support for the timely conclusion of the FTA negotiations.

DEEP C Industrial Zones is among the industrial parks participating in the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme in Viet Nam (GEIPP Viet Nam), which is funded by the Government of Switzerland through SECO and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and led in Viet Nam by the Ministry of Finance of Viet Nam. Through the programme, DEEP C Industrial Park has received technical support to improve resource efficiency, promote industrial symbiosis, and progressively align with international eco-industrial park standards.
Ms. Nguyen Tram Anh, National Programme Manager of GEIPP Viet Nam at UNIDO, presented an overview of the programme, highlighting its support to industrial parks and enterprises in enhancing resource efficiency, advancing industrial symbiosis, and transitioning towards more sustainable industrial practices. Her presentation also underscored the link between trade and investment priorities and the practical implementation of sustainable industrial transformation.

Mr. Bruno Jaspaert, Chief Executive Officer of DEEP C Industrial Zones, shared a leadership perspective on Viet Nam’s rapid economic development, key factors driving foreign investment, and the pivotal role of industrial parks in industrialization and international trade integration. He emphasized the importance of embedding sustainability into industrial park development strategies and outlined DEEP C’s transition pathway towards an eco-industrial park model, including key milestones, strategic direction, and the integration of sustainability into park management and long-term planning. With support from GEIPP, DEEP C’s performance against the International EIP Framework has improved significantly, rising from 47% in 2020 to 83% in 2023, with strong potential to achieve full compliance in the near future.

The discussion was moderated by Ms. Sibylle Bachmann, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland. Exchanges focused on Viet Nam’s industrial and economic development context, opportunities and challenges for businesses, and the concerns of international investors amid increasingly stringent sustainability requirements.

As part of the programme, the delegation toured DEEP C Industrial Zones and was introduced to a range of environmental solutions and circular economy practices being implemented, including nature-based infrastructure, renewable energy, and resource reuse initiatives. These on-the-ground examples provided concrete insights into Viet Nam’s approach to sustainable industrial development, particularly amid tightening global environmental standards.

 

Discussions further highlighted that sustainability is becoming an increasingly important criterion in assessing investment environments and economic cooperation prospects. In this context, the eco-industrial park model is emerging as a practical pathway to meet market expectations while enhancing the ability to attract high-quality investment. Looking ahead, the capacity to integrate sustainability into development foundations will be a key determinant of industrial competitiveness, supporting Viet Nam’s continued integration into global supply chains and its pursuit of long-term growth.