Recently, the United States Mission to Vietnam, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) celebrated the launch of a new tool to spur green economic growth: the Provincial Green Index.
Conceived by VCCI and supported by USAID and Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam, the Green Index evaluates and ranks provinces’ environmental policy from the perspective of businesses with the goal of promoting better business practices and an eco-friendly business environment that attracts green investment. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris first announced USAID’s support for developing a Green Index to rally the private sector to climate action during her 2021 trip to Vietnam.
The Green Index was launched at an event recently in Hanoi held annually to recognize the top-ranked provinces under the Provincial Competitiveness Index, which has contributed to significant improvements in Vietnam’s business enabling environment since its inception in 2005. USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Aler Grubbs joined VCCI Chairman Pham Tan Cong to present awards to the 10 top-ranked provinces in 2022 under the Provincial Competitiveness Index, and, for the first time, the top three top-ranked provinces under the inaugural Green Index.
“For nearly two decades, VCCI’s successful Provincial Competitiveness Index has prompted feedback and effective action around critical business climate issues,” said Aler Grubbs, USAID/Vietnam Mission Director. “The new Provincial Green Index builds on this prior success, and it signals a greater recognition among the private sector that environmental considerations are equally important for business success and long term economic growth.”
The Green Index will be published as part of the annual Provincial Competitiveness Index, supported by USAID since its inception in 2005. The Provincial Competitiveness Index has become an important tool for encouraging reforms at both the national and provincial levels on economic governance. The Green Index furthers Vietnam’s progress toward sustainable economic development and bolsters efforts to meet Vietnam’s COP26 commitments.
This year, the United States and Vietnam are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their Comprehensive Partnership. Our close cooperation over the past decades on facilitating sustainable economic growth is yet another example of how the United States and Vietnam work strategically together to create a better future for our two peoples.
