The training under the Swiss BET program covers key topics related to bank management, banking strategy and operational concepts as well as regulatory matters relevant for bankers in an emerging market. The training was provided in 12 thematic modules/trainings over the last 18 months in two separate cohorts, one in the North (Haiphong) and one in the South (Vung Tau) of Vietnam. The SFI, a renowned competence center for research, training and knowledge exchange in the banking and finance sector from Switzerland, compiled and organized the program, which was delivered by top-class experts from the relevant fields.
With this program, graduates have received first-class training in relevant banking areas and gained a comprehensive overview of international best practices that will provide a solid foundation for their work in the Vietnamese banking sector and also for the future development of their careers in banking. The excellent feedback received from both participating bank executives and banks is a testament to the quality, relevance and importance of the training provided.
The ceremony was attended by more than 100 representatives from the SBV, the Swiss Embassy, participating banks, SFI, and the city of Da Nang, which was followed by a gala dinner. The graduation certificates were delivered by the SFI to the 80 successful participants in attendance of Mr. Pham Thanh Ha, the Deputy Governor of SBV, and Mr. Thomas Gass, the Ambassador of Switzerland for Vietnam. They congratulated the graduates on successfully completing the demanding and top-level Swiss BET.
In his keynote speech, Mr. Pham Thanh Ha, Deputy Governor of SBV, furthermore stated: “The banking sector plays a central role in sustainable economic development. The Swiss BET program provides vital training to our Vietnamese bank managers to improve management practices and thereby strengthen the quality and performance of their respective institutions and the banking sector as a whole."
Mr. Thomas Gass, Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam, added to this in his opening speech: “With this support, Switzerland aims to pass on global best practices and share the experience and knowledge from the Swiss banking sector with Vietnamese banks. Sound banking training for top management strengthens banks and helps improve banking services for emerging businesses in the country.”
From the Swiss Finance Institute, Markus Buergi, CFOO of SFI, and Professor Alfred Mettler, Program Director of the Swiss BET program, emphasized the high level, high interest and strong participation of the graduates, showing their keen interest in maximizing their benefits from the program. They also praised the commitment and excellent cooperation with the State Bank of Vietnam and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), which jointly sponsor this program, and looked forward to further collaboration in delivering this important training program.
Following this successful program cycle, the next cycle of the Swiss BET program will begin in June 2024 and end in autumn 2025. The recruitment process has already started and the high interest from participants and banks show the strong demand and interest in the program.
The Swiss BET program is a joint program of the SBV and Switzerland, funded by Switzerland's Economic Cooperation Program in Vietnam, which is administered by SECO. This is the third phase of the Swiss BET program in Vietnam, which started in 2009. Many of the graduates of earlier program cycles have made a successful career up to the top management of major banks. The recently established Alumni Association connects all Swiss BET Program graduates and serves as a platform for continuing education, sharing of experiences, and networking. In the three consecutive cycles planned for this phase, it will train more than 240 Vietnamese bank managers in the latest and most modern bank management practices over the next years.
Additional information about the Swiss BET program can be found here .
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, Head of Division, International Relations Department, SBV
Email: thuy.nguyenthanh2@sbv.gov.vn
Ms. Tran Ngoc Ha, Senior National Program Assistant, SECO
Email: ngoc-ha.tran@eda.admin.ch
Phone: +84 24 3934 65 89 (ext. 850660)
Mr. Alfred Mettler, Project Director, SFI,
Email: Alfred.Mettler@sfi.ch
