Guy Parmelin, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, who is on an official visit to Vietnam, visited Nestle Tri An factory in Dong Nai Province.

During his visit, he learnt how Nestle, one of Switzerlands flagship companies, has become a prime example of a Swiss company with a truly global commitment.

Since coming to Viet Nam in 1995 Nestle has invested around US$600 million and employs 2,300 workers. Its leading brands include Milo, Nan, Nescafe, Maggi, and KitKat.

The company operates four factories and two distribution centres, and continues to expand steadily. Viet Nam is the second biggest coffee producer in the world and the biggest robusta producer, and Nestle is the biggest buyer of coffee in Vietnam (approximately 20 per cent of total output).

Every year the company injects more than $600 million into the rural economy through coffee purchases.

“The Nestle brand is intrinsically linked to some of Switzerlands core values,” Ganesan Ampalavanar, Managing Director of Nestle Vietnam, said.

“Among these is an uncompromising commitment to the highest possible quality standards, great efforts for continuous improvement and incorporation of the latest technologies, with the purpose of ensuring mutual long-term success through contributing to society; we call this Creating Shared Value.”

Switzerland has been Vietnam's economic partner for over 25 years, and Nestle has been actively working to contribute to this partnership through the promotion of sustainable economic growth. Nestles initiatives such as the Nescafe Plan and other Creating Shared Value initiatives are good examples of bringing the Swiss Governments vision to life.

Since its inception in 2011 the Nescafe Plan has been hailed as one the most successful partnerships between a commercial business and farmers by Vietnams Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Thanks to these efforts, Nestle Vietnam has been acknowledged by the Vietnamese Government for its contributions to the nations socio-economic development with various honours being conferred by the Ministries of Finance, Planning and Investment, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Labour and the Vietnam Charmber of Commerce and Industry.

Speaking at the end of his visit, Parmelin said he was most impressed by what Nestle Vietnam has achieved and wished the company continued success.

During his three-day visit to Vietnam, Parmelin also held talks with Vietnamese Government officials on free trade agreements.

He also visited a number of economic development co-operation projects.

Parmelin was accompanied by representatives of Swiss businesses and education, research and innovation. — VNS