GreenBiz 2011 leaves its mark in grand style

Many manufacturing companies in Vietnam have had to cut operational costs, restructure operations and even halt their expansion plans due to global financial woes and Vietnam’s macroeconomic problems. Did this impact on the interest of Vietnam-based firms in GreenBiz 2011?

No, quite the opposite. At GreenBiz 2011 we had more exhibitors presenting even better technologies and solutions than was the case in GreenBiz 2009. A lot of progress has been made in terms of technology and our member companies are on the edge of this. It seems many companies are using the period of economic stagnation to rethink and re-evaluate their long-term business plans. They are considering more lifecycle costs instead of only looking at short-term solutions.

We clearly observed a shift in mindset, which is good for Vietnam and its long-term sustainable progress. We observed that there were many B2B discussions taking place and GreenBiz 2011 was a great platform for Vietnamese and European companies to establish the links with each other.

What opportunities are there for European firms to transfer green technologies to Vietnam following GreenBiz 2011?

GreenBiz 2011 has opened up new opportunities for Vietnam in various areas of green solutions and technologies, and it also has raised the awareness that Vietnam will attach to sustainable development in particular with regards to sustainable cities, climate change and energy efficiency, as well as cleaner production and green business practices in general.

Let me give you a very simple example, energy saving led tube. It is said that if energy saving light bulbs were installed in every home and office in Vietnam, it could cut the entire country’s electricity consumption used in lighting by more than 30 per cent - a massive saving from something so small. So even if you don’t want to install solar panels, heat pumps, small scale hydro or wind systems, you can still reduce your impact on climate change with very little effort or expense.

This is a good solution for a developing country like Vietnam. GreenBiz 2011 will display many upgraded products and solutions, ranging from light bulbs to water heaters, environmentally friendly cars and motorbikes to waste-water treatment and water-saving solutions. Finally, some new features of GreenBiz 2011 also include renewable energies, in particular new solar technologies in addition to wind energy that was already presented in 2009.