Continuing its series of investment promotion activities in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Austria, on September 14, 2026, an Agribank delegation led by Deputy General Director Phùng Thị Bình attended the Vietnam–Austria Investment Connectivity Forum in Vienna. From the “Vietnam Capital Market Day” Conference in London to working sessions with Standard Chartered Bank and the Embassy of Vietnam in Austria, these activities have helped expand Agribank’s connections with international financial institutions and partners, while creating further opportunities for knowledge exchange and access to emerging trends in the finance and banking sector.

Unlocking opportunities for strategic financial cooperation

The Vietnam–Austria Investment Connectivity Forum brought together representatives of regulatory authorities, financial institutions, banks, businesses and investors from both countries. The event was jointly organized by Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, the Embassy of Vietnam in Austria, and relevant Austrian agencies and partners.

Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyễn Đức Chi chaired the Forum. Participants also included Vũ Lê Thái Hoàng, Ambassador of Vietnam to the Republic of Austria; Vũ Thị Chân Phương, Chairwoman of the State Securities Commission of Vietnam; leaders of departments and agencies under the Ministry of Finance; representatives of the Vietnam Stock Exchange; and representatives of Vietnamese organizations and businesses. On the Austrian side, participants included Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, Permanent Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Austria; Philipp Agathonos, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Vietnam; as well as representatives of the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), banks, investment funds and businesses.

Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyễn Đức Chi delivers the opening remarks.

The Forum was held to strengthen the attraction of direct and indirect investment flows from Europe, while providing investors with a comprehensive overview of the potential and development opportunities of Vietnam’s financial market.

At the Forum, Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyễn Đức Chi shared updates on the development of Vietnam’s capital market. With stock market capitalization exceeding USD 410 billion, equivalent to approximately 83% of GDP, Vietnam continues to improve its legal and technical infrastructure and implement the central counterparty (CCP) model and omnibus trading accounts (OTA), with a view to meeting international standards in the process of upgrading its stock market classification. The Ministry of Finance also reaffirmed its determination to upgrade Vietnam’s stock market to emerging-market status under MSCI and FTSE Russell standards by 2030, while creating favorable conditions for European investors to maintain long-term engagement with the Vietnamese market.

Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, Permanent Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Austria, delivers remarks.

On the Austrian side, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Financial Market Authority (FMA), and major financial institutions such as Raiffeisen Bank International and StageInvest/FOREUS spoke highly of Vietnam’s development potential. Delegates also shared experience in developing green finance, mobilizing sustainable capital, applying technology, and building modern risk management systems to improve investment efficiency.

The Agribank delegation attends the Forum.

From investment connectivity to substantive cooperation

Following the engagement activities at the Forum, the Agribank delegation visited and held a working session at the headquarters of GLOBAL Hydro Energy GmbH, an Austrian company operating in the field of hydropower technology and equipment.

The visit provided Agribank with an opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the partner’s production capabilities and technologies, while discussing the potential for expanded cooperation in renewable energy and green finance.

The relationship between Agribank and GLOBAL Hydro has been established on the basis of practical cooperation in Vietnam. Agribank is currently involved in providing credit to a number of hydropower projects using GLOBAL Hydro turbine technology, including the Chiềng Muôn, Suối Đỏ, Sông Chảy 1, Tân Tiến and Móng Sến hydropower plants. The on-site visit and discussions at the partner’s headquarters provided Agribank with additional information on GLOBAL Hydro’s production capabilities, technologies and solutions, thereby creating a basis for both sides to explore opportunities for deeper cooperation in the future.

The Agribank delegation visits and holds a working session at the headquarters of GLOBAL Hydro Energy GmbH.

From investment connections established at the Forum to the on-site working session with an Austrian company, the program opened up further opportunities for cooperation in credit financing, guarantees, and support for Vietnamese enterprises in accessing high-quality clean-energy technology solutions. This is also consistent with Agribank’s orientation to increase resources for green projects, promote renewable energy development, and accompany the economy’s green transition.

Reinforcing Agribank’s position and commitment to partnership

Agribank’s participation in the Vietnam–Austria Investment Connec Forum, together with its working visit and on-site discussions at GLOBAL Hydro Energy, continued the Bank’s series of economic diplomacy and investment promotion activities in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Austria.

As a key state-owned commercial bank in the economy, Agribank is progressively expanding its connections with international partners while proactively keeping abreast of emerging trends in financial technology, green finance and modern risk management. Strengthened engagement in Vienna provides an additional foundation for Agribank to expand its correspondent banking network, develop international payment solutions and bilateral trade finance, while opening up opportunities for cooperation in financing green and renewable energy projects. Through these efforts, Agribank continues to strengthen its role as a financial bridge, accompanying Vietnamese and Austrian businesses as they expand cooperation and integration.

The successful series of business engagements, investment promotion activities and financial connectivity initiatives undertaken by the Agribank delegation in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Austria contributed to expanding cooperation with international financial institutions, banks and partners, while reaffirming Agribank’s proactive approach to international integration in the process of expanding external economic cooperation.

Deputy General Director Phùng Thị Bình poses for a commemorative photo with representatives of regulatory authorities and businesses from both countries.

Building on the connections established and strengthened during the visit, Agribank will continue to strengthen its role as a key state-owned commercial bank, enhancing the mobilization and connection of domestic and international financial resources and accompanying businesses, investors and international partners. In doing so, Agribank contributes to effectively implementing the Party and State’s policy on international integration, attracting resources for socio-economic development, promoting green and sustainable growth, and enhancing Vietnam’s standing and reputation in the international arena.

Kylie Nguyen