Registration & Networking Coffee

Welcome Remarks by:

• Chairman, Swiss-Viet Economic Forum

• Leader of University of Zurich

• Ambassador of Viet Nam to Switzerland

• Ambassador of Switzerland to Viet Nam

• Representative of the Swiss Federal Government

• Representative of the Government of Viet Nam

Keynote Address: "Switzerland and Viet Nam: Partners for Sustainable and Smart Growth in Times of Change"

Objective: Reaffirm political commitment and define shared economic priorities for 2026–2030

Theme: Free Trade, Market Access and Economic Resilience in a Changing Global Order

Focus:

• Status and outlook of the Switzerland–Viet Nam FTA negotiations (EFTA framework)

• Lessons from other Swiss FTAs in Asia (e.g., Switzerland–India EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement)

• EU–ASEAN economic integration

• Trade resilience and diversified supply chains

• SME competitiveness in evolving trade regimes

Keynote Speaker (tentative): Senior Swiss trade negotiator or SECO representative

Panelists (tentative)

• Representative from the Swiss Federal Government

• Representative from the Ministry of Industry & Trade of Viet Nam

• Representative from a Swiss business federation

• Representative from a national trade promotion agency

• Representative from a European business chamber or EU trade policy institution

• Representative involved in a recent Switzerland–Asia FTA negotiation

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Theme: Connecting European and Asian Financial Ecosystems for Growth and Innovation: Trends and Opportunities

Focus:

• Development of International Financial Centers and regional financial hubs

• Cross-border capital flows between Europe and Asia-Pacific with a focus on Switzerland and Vietnam

• Capital market infrastructure and intergration

• Asset and wealth management investment opportunities in emerging markets

• Fintech innovation and digital finance infrastructure

• Financial regulation, transparency, investor confidence

• Mobilizing global capital for innovation, infrastructure, and economic growth in Asia

  
  

Panel Composition: Senior representatives from Swiss and European financial institutions, capital market infrastructure providers, asset managers, Vietnamese commercial banks and investment funds, fintech innovators, international financial institutions, and representatives involved in International Financial Center initiatives.

Keynote Speaker (tentative): Senior representative from a major Swiss financial institution

Panelists (tentative):

• Representative from Swiss major bank

• Representative from a capital market infrastructure provider

• Representative from a Swiss asset management or private banking institution

• Representative from a Vietnamese commercial bank

• Representative from a Vietnamese investment fund

• Representative involved in the International Financial Center initiative

• Representative from a multilateral development institution

  
  

Expected Outcomes:

• Strategic dialogue supporting Vietnam's International Financial Center development

• Identification of opportunities for deeper capital market connectivity between Europe and Asia

• Strengthened cooperation between financial institutions, investors, and policymakers

• Exploration of partnerships in fintech, financial infrastructure, and investment platforms connecting European and Asian markets

Theme: Building Responsible Innovation and Cross-Border Digital Collaboration

Focus

• AI governance and ethical frameworks

• Digital trust certification and standards

• Blockchain and fintech ecosystems

• Data governance and cybersecurity cooperation

• Regulatory sandbox collaboration

  
  

Panel Composition: Academic experts, digital policy leaders, technology firms, innovation agencies, and representatives from emerging tech ecosystems in both countries

Keynote Speaker (tentative): CEO of Innovation Switzerland

Panelists (tentative):

• Representative, digital trust or digital governance initiative

• Representative, digital asset or blockchain ecosystem

• Representative, technology policy or innovation center

• Representative, national data governance institution

• Representative, technology corporation

• EU digital governance expert

  
  

Expected Outcomes

• Launch of a Swiss–Vietnam Digital Trust Dialogue

• Exploration of joint AI research and innovation programs

• Framework for digital governance cooperation

Structured thematic seating to facilitate cross-sector dialogue:

• Finance

• Technology

• Industry

• Education

• Investment

Theme: Strengthening Industrial Value Chains in a Changing Global Landscape 

Focus Areas:

• Smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0

• Industrial electrification, automation, and productivity enhancement

• Energy security, industrial energy supply, and the role of renewable and conventional energy sources

• Resilient supply chains and strategic industrial partnerships between Europe and Asia

• Regulatory compliance and sustainability standards for global export markets

• Circular economy and resource efficiency in manufacturing

• Digital traceability and supply chain transparency

  
  

Panel Composition: Representatives from international industrial technology companies, Vietnamese manufacturing and industrial leaders, Energy and infrastructure companies, Digital technology and industrial innovation providers, Representatives from industrial innovation clusters and investment promotion organizations

Keynote Speaker (tentative): Senior representative from an industrial association or industrial technology leader

Suggested Panelists (tentative):

• Representative from an industrial technology company

• Representative from a Swiss industrial association

• Representative from an international investment promotion agency or innnovation cluster

• Vietnamese industrial manufacturing leader

• Representative from a digital technology company

• Energy sector representative

• European regulatory or trade expert

Expected Outcomes:

• Identification of industrial and energy cooperation projects

• Strengthened technology transfer dialogue between Swiss and Vietnamese industries

• Enhanced collaboration on resilient and transparent supply chains

• Strategic dialogue on industrial competitiveness and energy security in global value chains

Theme: Skills for the Future: Empowering People for Sustainable Growth

Focus:

• Research excellence, global collaboration and innovation platforms connecting academia, industry, and technology ecosystems

• Talent development for digital transformation, AI-driven workforce intelligence, and future skills for sustainability economic growth

  
  

Keynote Speaker (tentative): Vice President, Univeristy of Zurich

Panelists (tentative):

• Representative from a Swiss research university

• Representative from a national innovation agency

• Representative from an AI or workforce technology company

• Representative from a leading technology univeristy

• Vietnamese university leadership

• Industry representative from a Swiss or international technology company

  
  

Expected Outcomes:

• Concept for joint innovation lab or research partnership

• Academic mobility framework

• Institutional MoU preparation

Focus:

• 2026–2030 cooperation roadmap

• Public–private working groups

• Sector-specific implementation tracks

• Alignment toward SVEF 2027

  
  

Participants: SVEF leadership, Ambassadors, senior policymakers, private sector leaders, and innovation ecosystem representatives

Expected Outcomes:

• Announcement of 3–5 thematic task forces

• Commitment to structured follow-up

• Confirmation of key cooperation milestones 

Formal signing of cooperation agreements between financial institutions, universities, companies, and public authorities 

Format: Flying dinner / networking dinner 

Purpose:

• Strengthen business relationships

• Facilitate investor and corporate matchmaking

• Reinforce diplomatic engagement