Along with China and India, Vietnam is currently one of the most interesting growth markets in Asia. The country continues to develop, despite the global economic crisis.

Vietnam`s gross domestic product (GDP) for 2009 is expected to increase by some 5.2% in real terms. That is considerably higher than was forcast at the beginning of the year. For 2010, the Vietnamese government has set a goal of 6.5% growth.

During the next few years, the Vietnamese chemicals industry  expects annual growth rates of between 10 and 15%. According to Hanoi`s master plan for the chemicals industry, Vietnam should establish its own production capacities in as many segments as possible -  from petrochemicals and chemicals to agricultural chemical products and medications - by 2020.

Vietnam attaches a great deal of importance to the term biotechnology. In fact, it has a diverse range of potential applications. This especially applies to the agricultural and aquaculture sectors and the closely related food-processing industry. Furthermore, the topic of certification continues to increase in significance due to strong demand for water and feed safety in Vietnam.





Opportunities are also available in the pharmaceuticals sector. Among other things, companies are looking for foreign partners to help them put biotechnology techniques to use in actual practice. During the next few years (until 2015), the government is planning to invest some 11 million euros in these efforts.

Spread out over the next several years, some 30 million euros will be available for environmental research projects, i.e. for development, project planning and facilities. These funds will primarily go to the environmental sector including water and sewage treatment and solidwaste management.