On June 13, 2025, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held significant meetings with leading Swedish corporations during his official visit to the Kingdom of Sweden, marking a pivotal moment in strengthening economic and technological ties between Vietnam and Sweden. The meetings underscored Vietnam's commitment to sustainable development and innovation, particularly in the textile and pharmaceutical sectors, as the Prime Minister prepared to conclude his successful European tour the following day.
One of the key discussions was with Susanna Campbell, Chairwoman of SYRE Group, a subsidiary of the global fashion retailer H&M and the technology investment firm Vargas. SYRE Group is embarking on an ambitious project to establish large-scale recycling complexes worldwide, with Vietnam as a strategic location. The Binh Dinh Provincial People's Committee has granted SYRE an investment certificate for a high-tech polyester fabric recycling plant, backed by nearly $1 billion in investment. This initiative aims to transform Vietnam into a global hub for circular textile production, leveraging advanced technologies to promote sustainability in an industry traditionally associated with high environmental impact.
Adam Karlsson, Chief Financial Officer of H&M Group, elaborated on H&M's longstanding presence in Vietnam. Since 2017, H&M has operated 13 stores nationwide, with plans to expand to over 20 in the coming years. The company has maintained production relationships with Vietnam for nearly two decades, collaborating with 103 partner factories and employing approximately 86,875 workers. Karlsson emphasized H&M's intention to deepen its green investment footprint in Vietnam, aligning with the country's shift towards a circular economy in the textile sector.
Both SYRE and H&M appealed to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for continued governmental support to facilitate their expansion plans. They requested the Prime Minister's directives to ease the importation of raw materials necessary for production and to actively participate in Vietnam's textile industry's transformation towards sustainability. Their vision includes sharing expertise and contributing to the development of regulations that govern sustainable textile and footwear manufacturing in Vietnam.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed SYRE's project, recognizing its potential to position Vietnam as the world's first center for a circular textile industry employing cutting-edge technology. He urged both SYRE and H&M to share their management and operational experiences to build a robust and sustainable circular textile ecosystem in Vietnam. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of utilizing Vietnamese raw materials, highlighting Vietnam's status as a textile powerhouse, and insisted on strict adherence to commitments regarding high-tech applications and environmentally friendly inputs to safeguard sustainable development.
Expressing gratitude for the Prime Minister's time and guidance, Susanna Campbell and Adam Karlsson pledged to ensure the project's successful implementation, particularly focusing on the circular economy and environmental protection objectives outlined by the Vietnamese government.
In parallel, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Emelie Antoni, Chairwoman of AstraZeneca for Northern Europe and Sweden, to discuss the biopharmaceutical giant's ongoing and future engagement in Vietnam. AstraZeneca, a global leader originating from the UK and Sweden, has been operating in Vietnam since 1994 and officially established AstraZeneca Vietnam Co., Ltd. in 2019. The company currently employs over 700 staff across the country.
Emelie Antoni acknowledged Vietnam as a strategic market for AstraZeneca and requested preferential policies to support the pharmaceutical sector, especially in areas concerning rare diseases. She also sought expedited licensing for clinical trials to enhance the company's operational efficiency and foster innovation within Vietnam's healthcare landscape.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised AstraZeneca's significant contributions to Vietnam's healthcare system, notably its support during the COVID-19 pandemic. He conveyed the government's readiness to promptly grant licenses for AstraZeneca to invest in pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing facilities within Vietnam. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of technology transfer and employing Vietnamese labor to serve the domestic market of 100 million people and the broader regional market. He highlighted priority areas such as cancer treatments, vaccines, and medicines for women, children, and tropical diseases.
The Prime Minister also underscored Vietnam's comprehensive preferential policies, which include streamlined administrative procedures and support for research, clinical trials, technology transfer, and the production of innovative drugs, original proprietary medicines, high-tech pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and rare disease treatments manufactured through technology transfer in Vietnam.
Responding to AstraZeneca's proposals on shortening clinical trial approval times while ensuring safety, enhancing early detection of non-communicable diseases, and establishing special policies for rare diseases, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed the government's commitment to creating a favorable investment environment. He emphasized that Vietnam's approach balances legal compliance with the principle of "harmonious benefits, shared risks," ensuring that foreign investors can operate effectively while contributing to the country's public health goals.
Following these engagements, on June 14, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, departed from Stockholm, concluding a fruitful official visit to Sweden. This trip was part of a broader European tour that included visits to France and Estonia, where the Prime Minister participated in the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) and engaged in a total of 84 intensive activities, including high-level talks and exchanges with leaders, businesses, and the Vietnamese diaspora.
Throughout the visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered important speeches on behalf of ASEAN and Vietnam, further elevating Vietnam's profile on the international stage. The bilateral and multilateral engagements garnered significant regional and global attention and praise, highlighting Vietnam's growing role in global economic, environmental, and health matters.
Vietnamese officials and the community in Sweden warmly bid farewell to the Prime Minister and his delegation at Stockholm's Arlanda International Airport, marking the successful completion of a visit that promises to deepen cooperation and foster sustainable development across multiple sectors.
This series of high-profile meetings and initiatives reflects Vietnam's strategic pursuit of sustainable growth through international partnerships, technological innovation, and a commitment to improving public health and environmental stewardship. As Vietnam continues to integrate more deeply into the global economy, these collaborations with leading Swedish companies like H&M, SYRE, and AstraZeneca signal a promising future for the country's industries and its people.
