Taste of US investors in Investment in Vietnam

The scent of American investors

Renewable energy, high technology industries, supporting industries… are areas that are interested by US investors when they come to set up company in Vietnam.

One of the “hot” issues that US businesses and investors interested in is the issue of cooperation and investment in the field of renewable energy. According to Mr Freb Burke from Baker & McKenzie, renewable energy is currently the most attractive investment area. Vietnam will avoid the construction of thermal power plants when moving to invest in wind and solar power plants.

In addition, many multinational corporations have strict environmental standards and they want these standards to be applied globally. Manufacturers also want to produce consumer goods using clean energy. For example, Apple is making a commitment to achieve 100% clean energy in their global supply chain. Hence, if Vietnam wants to attract investors like Apple, Vietnam should produce enough renewable energy to meet their needs.

According to Mr Burke’s explanation, renewable energy secures energy and environment security for Vietnam, helping Vietnam tap its potential and export energy. Renewable power plants attract the interest of US businesses like First Solar and GE. Furthermore, Vietnam has just raised its electricity purchase price to 9.35 UScent per kWh. This is a relatively attractive price for foreign investors due to the reduction in the price of wind and solar power along with the development of technology. However, Vietnam needs long-term guarantees for investors to borrow from banks and invest.

Moreover, the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham) stated that the Association and its partners are proposing a Production Energy Plan in Vietnam to provide a needed road map for reforms, in order to attract investors, equipment suppliers, manufacturers and operators from the United States.

In addition, many US investors have also expressed their interest in intelligent cities, waste treatment projects, high-tech industries… Many businesses say that despite the United States withdrawal from the TPP agreement, trade relations between Vietnam and United States will continue to develop strongly in the future.

In fact, in recent times, high technology and supporting industries have attracted more projects of US investors. According to the owner of Saigon Silicon Project, after the construction of the project in Saigon Hi-Tech Park in the second half of 2016, up to now, many US investors have expressed their plan to implement projects here. It is planned that after completion of the infrastructure, the project can attract about 20 projects operating in the field of high tech and supporting industries, with investment capital of about 1.5 billion USD.

Meanwhile, a group of US scientists and businesses have recently reached an initial agreement on implementing a smart glass production project in Long An province with a billion dollar investment capital. This is a high-tech manufacturing project and about 90% of the output will be exported.

According to businesses, the results of investment attraction is not worth the potential of the two countries. Currently, the United States ranks 9th among foreign investors in Vietnam, with an investment of about 10 billion USD according to registered statistics from the United States. However, if we count the investment from the United States through third countries, the investment capital must be greater, for example, the Intel project has investment of more than 1 billion USD, but the investment capital is registered from the enterprise based in Netherlands.

Another good news is that, during the US visit of Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the end of May 2017, US and Vietnamese businesses have signed contracts worth tens of billions of dollars in many fields. Therefore, according to businesses, if the bottlenecks, especially the regulatory and framework issues on investment are improved, the flow of investment from the United States is likely to increase in the coming time.

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US Investors Have Poured 1.1 Billion USD into Ho Tram Strip Project

The Ho Tram Strip project was poured $ 1.1 billion by US investors

Asian Coast Development Ltd is one of the large US investor who come and set up company in Vietnam.

Ho Tram Project Company (HTP) is a wholly foreign-owned subsidiary of Asian Coast Development Ltd, with more than 1 billion USD of committed capital deployed, which is the largest US private company investing in Vietnam. Moreover, they are also the first company to register for Vietnamese to play casino.

According to HTP – the investor of the 4-billion-dollar-super-project named “Ho Tram Strip”, the Company has poured 1.1 billion USD in this project and they has just announced to continue to fund the phase 3 includes apartment tower, condotel and villa.

Located on the north side of The Grand Ho Tram Strip resort, the 12-story Kahuna Ho Tram Strip project has a total of 244 rooms. It consists of 164 one or two-bedroom apartments, 9 penthouse apartments and 44 luxury villas located on the beach with area of 218 to 223 square meters.

According to the developer, this project when completed will contribute to the diversification of facilities and realize the goal of turning Ho Tram into the entertainment capital of Vietnam. In addition, HTP has developed the Gallery Villa apartment project at the nearby The Bluffs golf course. The 2nd hotel tower with 559 rooms named “The Beach Club” is now rushing to complete to welcome its first guests in early 2018. Furthermore, other service facilities such as water park, outdoor theater and private international airport are also underway.

It is known that the price of condotel apartment in Ho Tram is from 2 billion VND (equivalent to about 88,800 USD), villa is priced from 8 billion VND (about 350,000 USD). The project was designed by leading architectural firm Korn Architects and is due to commence in quarter 4 of 2017.

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Open for Private Investment in Vietnam Railways

The revised Railway Law has just been passed by the National Assembly will create attraction for investors to set up company in Vietnam to invest in infrastructure and railway projects.

The revised Railway Law has just been passed by the National Assembly and is expected to come into force on July 1st 2018 with many preferential mechanisms that will create attraction for investors to invest in infrastructure and railway projects.

Up to now, Lotte E&C (Korea) is the most zealous foreign investor in the Yen Vien – Lao Cai Railway Upgrading Project and the project to build railway connecting Lao Cai – Ha Khau in the form of PPP. Previously, in mid-February 2017, a preliminary study including investment plan, capital size and project repayment capacity was submitted by the Korean investor to the Ministry of Transport. In addition to the proposal to apply the form of build – lease – transfer (BLT), Lotte also wants to receive some incentives during the implementation of the project.

It is known that with the type of BLT contract, Lotte will invest capital to build infrastructure. Upon completion, the investor is entitled to provide services on the basis of operating that facility in a determined period of 20 years. The competent state agency shall hire the service and pay to the investor, when expired, the investor shall return the facility to the competent State authority for management and use.

Moreover, the Railway Law (amended) has added a number of provisions, which are considered to be the great drive for the railway sector. Specifically, the rail transport business is defined as the industry that is entitled to investment incentives; Organizations and individuals engaged in railway activities shall be entitled to incentives and supports such as free land use fees for land area for infrastructure construction, the highest incentives level for enterprise income tax rate, enjoy the most preferential credit policy; applying the pricing mechanism for the mode of leasing or transferring the right to exploit railway infrastructure.

These regulations will create breakthroughs in investment resources, attracting businesses to concentrate resources on railway development, in fact many countries have similar policies

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Will Form New Value Chain in Vietnam – Japan Economic Cooperation

Japan-Vietnam economic cooperation will form a new value chain

Japan has truly become a strategic partner of Vietnam. Currently, trade activities between the two countries are being promoted and more and more Japanese businesses choose to set up company in Vietnam.

According to Mr. Hironobu Kitagawa, Chief Representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Vietnam, it is not just a single sector investment, the integration of industry groups to create new value chains is essential for Vietnam -Japan economic cooperation.

During the recent visit to Japan by Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, many collaboration memorandum have been signed, as well as 1,600 attendees pointed out that Japanese enterprises pay high attention to the investment in Vietnam. In the eyes of Japanese businesses, Vietnamese market is a continuous growing market. In addition to the second group of industries (manufacturing and processing industries), enterprises will expand into other sectors such as the first industry group (agriculture sector) and the third industry group (service industries).

Japanese side affirmed that they would continue to support Vietnam in implementing the plans of the 6 selected industries in order to accelerate Vietnam’s industrialization and modernization process. Basically, direct investment from abroad will boost domestic industry and boost economic growth. Of course, if foreign economic relations accelerate, the ability to create new business opportunities will be greater, while stimulating the domestic consumption market. Therefore, through the receipt of investment from abroad, the building of mutually beneficial relationship is necessary.

Increasing investment from Japan in 6 areas (especially electronics, food processing and car accessories) is the focus for accumulation of supporting industries. This is expected to contribute to the nurturing of Vietnamese enterprises. Moreover, JETRO will continue to contribute to the development of supporting industries in Vietnam by organizing annual supporting industry exhibitions.

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Korean Corporation Builds Aircraft Engine Spare Part Factory in Vietnam

Vietnam is being invested by Korean corporations in the project to build aircraft engine factory

Hanwha Techwin is seeking opportunity to expand capacity through opening factory abroad and they chose to set up factory in Vietnam.

Hanwha Techwin Corporation from Korea has selected a 10 hectares site on the suburb of Hanoi to build a factory manufacturing aircraft engine spare parts.

The Corporation is now waiting for the Vietnamese Government to approve the project. If licensed, Hanwha Techwin will start construction of the factory in August 2017 and begin operation in the second quarter of 2018. This factory covers an area of 6ha, 8 times more than a regular football field.

In order to implement the plan to raise revenue from aircraft engine spare parts to 900 million USD, Hanwha Techwin is seeking to expand capacity through opening factory abroad. In which, among many areas targeted by Hanwha Techwin, Vietnam was selected for having a suitable logistics environment and high competitive advantage in terms of production costs.

This technology corporation is expanding its engine parts business by winning large contracts from leading global aircraft engine manufacturers such as GE, Pratt & Whitney (P&W) and Rolls-Royce.

Earlier in April 2017, Hanwha Techwin Corporation started construction of Hanwha Techwin Security factory in Que Vo Industrial Park, Bac Ninh province. Phase 1 of this 100-million-USD project will manufacture CCTV camera, storage devices, high technology security surveillance devices.

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Japanese Enterprises Want to Leave China to Enter Vietnam

The labor costs in China rose steadily, along with the territorial dispute between Beijing and Tokyo are the two factors that the Japanese business community wants to move their production to Vietnam instead of China.

Mitsui OSK Lines, the largest shipping company in Japan has decided to invest 1.2 billion USD in the project to build international container port in Hai Phong. The decision is given 3 years since the Japanese businesses gradually increase investment in Southeast Asia due to the rising labor costs in China and the territorial dispute between Beijing and Tokyo causes many complex issues to incur.

The International Container Terminal Project in Hai Phong is implemented by the Tan Cang Saigon Company, partner Molnykit (Japan) and Hai Phong International Container Port, in the form of public-private partnership (PPP) and under the guidelines the Government of Vietnam and Japan.

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Benefits of Setting up Business in Hanoi

Benefits of Setting up Business in Da Nang

Benefits of Setting up Business in Ho Chi Minh City

Assistance in Setting up Business in Vietnam

M&A Services in Vietnam

According to  the Financial Times, the terminal will start operation in 2018 and double the port’s current capacity to serve the needs of the growing electronics manufacturer industrial zones near Hanoi.

Currently, the situation that many Japanese companies close their factories in southern China and moved manufacturing operations to areas with cheaper labor costs in Vietnam.

Since the protests against Japan exploded in major cities of China in 2012, investing activities of Japanese companies in Southeast Asia surged. The foreign direct investment from Japan to ASEAN reached more than 20 billion USD in 2015, according to Government data, and exceeded total foreign direct investment in China, Hong Kong.

Results from an annual large-scale survey of Japan External Trade Organization showed that the proportion of Japanese companies want to expand production in China fell below 40% since 1998.

According to another report from Mizuho Research Institute, after surveying the opinions of more than 1,000 Japanese manufacturers, it is showed that Vietnam was the top destination among 12 countries participating in TPP Agreement for companies who want to increase their investment.

Vietnam is also one of the countries in which Japanese firms considered ideal to build the factory if they move production out of China’s territory.

Many reports estimate the total domestic product of the ASEAN countries will increase from the current rate of 2.6 trillion USD to 5.8 trillion USD in 2025. The rising labor costs in China are changing the conception of the Japanese business community on the role of ASEAN in the global supply chain. Vietnam is really an emerging heaven of electronic products. This fact will completely change the macroeconomic outlook of Vietnam.

In addition to the prospect to become the center of merchandise exports to Europe and the United States, Vietnam can also directly supply goods to the ASEAN markets in the context of mass population is about to reach 700 million people.

ANT Consulting is here to assist you from the outset; providing corporate intelligence, risk advisory, management consulting services that assist market entrance, and ensure efficient business start-up operation.  Our services are as following:

• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice
• Outsourcing Services

We strive to save your cost by guiding you towards economical solutions that comply with local legislation and procedures. We support you through early logistic solutions and carry you through as your business grows.  We aim to bridge the gap between international best practices and local cultures and assist foreign companies and organizations entering Vietnam market to overcome commercial and regulatory issues.

We could be reached at email: ant@antconsult.vn or tel: +848 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

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Due Diligence in Choosing Business Partner

Joint ventures and association in business will bring many opportunities for the development and success, especially expanding and making entry into new Vietnam as new marketthrough cross border transaction, setting up company, acquiring shares in new company.

However, it is not easy to choose partners to help maximize the value for business, especially in this difficult time. That is the reason why we should conduct the due diligence research in Vietnam before making any decision.

According to experts, there are enterprises that growing very fast because they choose the right partners involving in the value chain, but also there are well-known enterprises in the market that have to face with a lot of difficulties due to choosing wrong partners. Therefore, how to choose the right business partners, financial partners and strategic shareholders to help enterprises overcome difficulties, develop faster and more sustainable are always issues that concerned by many business leaders.

In challenging conditions as at present, the economic situation in Vietnam and the world places great influence on the partner selection of companies. Currently, the debt crisis in some European countries caused the demand for import from these countries dropped sharply. Therefore, Vietnam enterprises must seek new markets. In this situation, companies should restructure their operations, choosing to produce products that are suitable with the new markets.

There are two key partners that companies need to keep in mind, they are financial partner and business partner. Depending on the objectives of the companies that they will choose the right partner. Normally, with the stable economic condition, companies often choose strategic partner.

However, in difficult situation such as the present, the choice of partners is made for short term so that the company could be able to change and adapt according to the general environmental condition. Many experts believe that, in difficult times, good cooperation will help enterprises to stand firm and “over storm” successfully.

Hence, conducting the due diligence research helps us to have a clearer vision of partners before deciding to cooperate with them in business, especially partners in foreign countries where you still feel strange. Whether choosing business partner or financial partner, companies should be cautious. They should learn from the Japanese companies. Before deciding to cooperate with a partner, Japanese companies often study the partners very thoroughly. Therefore, the cooperation project of Japanese companies often succeeds up to 85%.

ANT Consulting is here to assist you from the outset; providing corporate intelligence, risk advisory, management consulting services that assist market entrance, and ensure efficient business start-up operation.  Our services are as following:

• Advisory
• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice

We strive to save your cost by guiding you towards economical solutions that comply with local legislation and procedures. We support you through early logistic solutions and carry you through as your business grows.  We aim to bridge the gap between international best practices and local cultures and assist foreign companies and organizations entering Vietnam market to overcome commercial and regulatory issues.

We could be reached at email: ant@antconsult.vn or tel: +848 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

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Vietnam and European Union Will Eliminate over 99% Import Tariffs on Each Other

At a press conference on October 30th in Vietnam informed of important agreements between Vietnam and European Union (EU), Mr. Bruno Angelet – Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) said that early August 2015, the EU and Vietnam has announced the conclusion of negotiations but the negotiation group continues to resolve the remaining technical issues, while improving documents.

Once completed, the Agreement must be approved by the National Assembly of Vietnam, the Council and the European Parliament. Accordingly, Vietnam and the EU will eliminate over 99% of import tariffs.

For the few remaining tariffs, both parties will grant each other tariff quota or tariff reduction. This can be seen as the highest level of commitment that Vietnam has achieved in the FTA has been signed so far.

In the investment sector, the commitments to ensure an open business and investment environment to help promote high quality investment flows of both the EU and other partners in Vietnam. Thus, Vietnam has the opportunity to become the connection for trade and investment activities between EU and other countries in the region.

In addition, the commitments related to investment, liberalization of trade, service, Government procurement and intellectual property protection… will also open up opportunities for both sides to approach each other’s markets and ensure balance overall benefit.

EU can become the best partner in the future of Vietnam because Vietnam is also becoming one of the most dynamic countries and have good relationship with EU in the region. EU can support Vietnam in many fields such as governance models and provide excellent services in the field of infrastructure, training and education, the judiciary and law, health, social insurance and sustainable energy.

ANT Consulting is here to assist you from the outset; providing intelligence, information, management or support and administrative services that assist market entrance, and ensure efficient business start-up operation.  Our services are as following:

• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice
• Outsourcing Services

We strive to save your cost by guiding you towards economical solutions that comply with local legislation and procedures. We support you through early logistic solutions and carry you through as your business grows.  We aim to bridge the gap between international best practices and local cultures and assist foreign companies and organizations entering Vietnam market to overcome commercial and regulatory issues.

We could be reached at email: ant@antconsult.vn or tel: +848 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

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Tetra Pak Construct 110 Million USD Packaging Factory in Binh Duong

Japan-Vietnam economic cooperation will form a new value chain

Tetra Pak (Sweden) has started construction of a 110 million USD packaging factory on an area of 10,000 m2 and a total capacity of 20 billion packages per year at Vietnam – Singapore Industrial Park II – A (Binh Duong). This information has been announced since the end of 2016. The factory is expected to come into operation by the beginning of 2019.

According to the Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, this is the factory with largest scale among 54 projects that Sweden investors have invested in Vietnam.

Moreover, he affirmed that the factory could become the leading bird, leading many Swedish businesses to come and set up business in Vietnam.

Sweden was the first country in the Western region that establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. There will be many Swedish multinational corporations want to invest in Vietnam. Therefore, Vietnam in general and Binh Duong in particular need to prepare better investment environment to catch the wave of FDI, especially from Sweden.

According to representative of Tetra Pak, this is the company’s most green packaging factory in their system, as well as the 4th largest packaging factory in East Asia and Oceania in terms of scale.

The two popular types of packaging will be produced at the factory including Tetra Brik Aseptic and Tetra Fino Aseptic.

According to Tetra Pak, dairy and beverage products in South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand markets are expected to grow at a rate of 5.6 percent annually from now until 2019.

In Vietnam, milk production is still the largest sector in the country, which is expected to double consumption per capita to 28 liters per year by 2020. While the market for fresh fruit juice is expected to grow 17.5% in the next year. This is the basis for packaging factories – including Tetra Pak’s factory to expect fast growth in the near future.

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FDI into Vietnam Reached 25.5 Billion USD in 9 months of 2017

Japan-Vietnam economic cooperation will form a new value chain

FDI into Vietnam is always an impressive figure with steady growth every year, proving that many foreign investors have chosen to set up business in Vietnam. According to the latest figures from the Foreign Investment Agency, from the beginning of 2017 to the end of September 2017, foreign direct investment (FDI) has hit a record of 25.48 billion USD, increased by 34, 3% over the same period in 2016.

Of which, there were 1,844 new projects with total investment of 14.56 billion USD, increases by 30.4%; 6.75 billion USD of 878 projects registered for capital adjustment, increases by 28.3% and 4.16 billion USD of 3,742 capital contribution turns, share purchases of foreign investors, increases by 64% over the same period last year.

Statistics also show that the manufacturing sector has attracted nearly 50% of the registered capital of 12.64 billion USD in the past 9 months. Standing in the 2nd position in terms of FDI attraction is electricity production and distribution with total investment capital of 5.37 billion USD, accounting for 21% of the total registered investment. The 3rd position is the wholesale, retail sector with total registered capital of 1.58 billion USD, accounting for 6.2% of total capital.

It is worth mentioning that real estate sector, which continuously standing in the top most invested in the recent years, has been replaced by the processing, manufacturing and retail sectors…

Among investors in Vietnam, in 9 months of 2017, Korea still ranked 1st with total investment of 6.31 billion USD, accounting for 24.7% of total investment. Standing in the 2nd place is Japan with total registered capital of 5.91 billion USD, accounting for 23.17% of total investment. Singapore ranks third with total registered capital of 4.14 billion USD, accounting for 16.2% of total investment capital.

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Vietnam Personal Income Tax Laws Foreigners Should Know

As the deadline for declaring Personal Income Tax (PIT) is approaching, we are reviewing some tax laws in Vietnam that foreigners working and earning in Vietnam should know and comply.

Law No. 71/2014/QH13 dated 26 November 2014 issued by Vietnam National Assembly amending five tax laws including Law on Personal Income Tax (“PIT”) and Law on Tax Administration provides with regulations on PIT finalization.

Vietnamese Government further issued a number of regulations on tax declaration, payment and finalization, as follows:
1. Decree No. 91/2014/ND-CP dated 1 October 2014, of Government, amending Decree No. 65/2013/ND-CP and Decree No. 83/2013/ND-CP of guidance on the Law on Tax Administration (“Decree 91”). Decree 91 has complemented several exemptions from PIT finalization and comes into effect from 15 November 2014.
2. Circular No. 119/2014/TT-BTC dated 25 August 2014, of the Ministry of Finance, amending and supplementing a number of tax circulars in order to simplify tax formalities (“Circular 119”). Circular 119 has supplemented regulations on PIT obligations of any individual who is a citizen of the country and/or territory entered into an agreement on preventing double taxation with Vietnam.
3. Circular No. 128/2014/TT-BTC dated 5 September 2014, of the Ministry of Finance, guiding the reduction of personal income tax for individuals working in economic zones and border-gate (“Circular 128”). Circular 128 broadens the subject of tax deduction and comes into effect from 20 October 2014.
4. Circular No. 151/2014/TT-BTC dated 1 October 2014, of the Ministry of Finance, guiding Decree 91/2014/ND-CP on various aspects of PIT finalization, providing detail subjects which are not required to finalize PIT.

Tax resident in Vietnam should note that 2014 Personal Income Tax finalization shall be made no later than 31 March 2015.

About ANT Consulting 

We assist with Tax advice and related tax services in Vietnam to clients in various industries including financial services, trading, distribution and IT sectors on Corporate Income Tax, Personal Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Withholding Tax and update on relevant tax regulations.

We could be reached via email: ant@antconsult.vn or office tel: +848 35202779.

Let ANT Consulting helps your business in Vietnam.

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Set-up Representative Office in Vietnam

A foreign business entity or a foreign trader is allowed to establish Representative Office in Vietnam.

Representative office of a foreign business entity in Vietnam (referred as “Representative Office”) means a subsidiary unit of the foreign business entity, established in accordance with the law of Vietnam in order to survey markets and to undertake a number of commercial enhancement activities permitted by the law of Vietnam.

Representative Office will need to apply and obtain the establishment license; and have a seal bearing the name of the representative office.

Representative Office is not allowed to directly conduct profit making activities in Vietnam (i.e: the execution of contracts, direct payment or receipt of funds, sale or purchase of goods, or provision of services), but the representative Office is permitted to

• To operate strictly in accordance with the purposes, scope and duration stated in the license for establishment of such representative office;
• To rent offices and to lease or purchase the equipment and facilities necessary for the operation of the Representative Office;
• To recruit Vietnamese and foreign employees to work for the Representative Office in accordance with the law of Vietnam;
• To open accounts in foreign currency and in Vietnamese Dong sourced from foreign currency at banks which are licensed to operate in Vietnam, and to use such accounts solely for the operation of the Representative Office.

ANT Consulting is here to assist you from the outset; providing corporate intelligence, risk advisory, management consulting services that assist market entrance, and ensure efficient business start-up operation.  Our services are as following:

• Advisory
• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice

We strive to save your cost by guiding you towards economical solutions that comply with local legislation and procedures. We support you through early logistic solutions and carry you through as your business grows.  We aim to bridge the gap between international best practices and local cultures and assist foreign companies and organizations entering Vietnam market to overcome commercial and regulatory issues.

We could be reached at email: ant@antconsult.vn or tel: +848 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

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Big Manufacturer Waves Enter Vietnam

Facing difficulties in manufacture and consumption, some big car manufacturers in Thailand and Indonesia are planning to find new market in ASEAN. Moreover, recently, LG Electronics- the world’s second largest television manufacturer also intends to move from Thailand to Vietnam.

According to Federal Thailand Industry –FTI’s figures, In 2014, 881,800 cars were sold in Thailand, decreasing 34% compared to 2013. That is the second year in two consecutive years the market is in recession. It was a strong effect to decrease the quantity of output produced in last year : 1,88 million cars (included quantity exported). In Indonesia, quantity sold also lightly decreased which caused reduction of the quantity produced from 1.4 million cars down to 1.3 million cars.

Except for the problem of production, Thailand investors are facing other difficulties, political depression has effected manufacture and trade,and highcosts of labor haverisen the price up. Besides, Thailand’s manufacturing capacity is full, if we want to increase it, we have to invest more. All difficulties above force cars manufacturers to seek for new producing places.

In ASEAN, there are two places which investors are considering to: Philippines and Vietnam. These are two populous countries have enormous potentiality. Hence, the investors still want to invest money in these two countries.

Many people think that this is a facile opportunity for Vietnamto intensively attract new investors, develop cars industry, accommodate domestic demand and export. In Vietnam,  monthly figures on consumption which enterprises declared indicated that the growth still has not had signs of slowing down.

According to the monthly report in Jan 2014, VAMA forecasted industry’s  consumption rate in 2014 would be about 120.000 cars and increase 9% compared to ones in 2013. However, the real number raised almost 158.000, increased 43%. The quantity sold in December achieved a new record when surpassing 20.000 cars and this is the 21^th consecutive month when the industry’s  quantity sold higher in comparison with the same period previous year .

Vietnam’s  advantage is an enormously potential cars market.In forecast, after 2020 when nation’s income per capita overcomes  3000 USD, the demands of cars will break out. In Vietnam, there are two million of car types, rate of cars per capita is still low, in 2030 the quantity sold would overcome 1 million cars per year. In addition, the low costs of labor in Vietnam helps reducing the costs of manufacture.

 LG chooses Vietnam to be the producing place instead of Thailand:

LG Electronics – the world’s second largest televisions manufacturer is planning to move manufactory from Thailand to Vietnam in this year because of efficient producing system, low costs and good logistics services.

In October 2013, LG was authorized to invest 1.5 billion USD to Vietnam for constructing factories in order to produce and assemble electrical goods.

In a phone  interview with Reuters’ reporters, Mr. NiponWongsaengarunsri – LG’s marketing manager in Thailand revealed that LG want to construct a manufacturing “fortification” where produce new lines of TV like the main factories in Korea. And Vietnam is their best choice.

 “We consider Vietnam as an ideal destination to invest. Low costs of labor is an important factor. However, decisive elements are quality and good logistics services” said Mr. Nipon.

Besides, Mr. Nipon also revealed that LG produces about 600.000 TV products per year in Thailand, cost about 8 billion baht (243 million USD). Among those products, there are about 100.000 for export.

Will Vietnam gain benefit?

Following the integration process,  at the end of 2015,Asean Economic Community (AEC) will be established. It will give Vietnam opportunities to expand import and export market, attract investment and skillful labor force in ASEAN area.

Besides, Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is on negotiation stage with final rounds, will prospectively give opportunities to Vietnam’s economy. Free Trade Agreements (FTA)  is and will be concluded which contribute to attract investment and stimulate export.

In that circumstance, Vietnam government continually gives special treatments to foreign enterprises investing in high technological fields, many big Manufacturer chose Vietnam to be manufacturing “fortification” or expanding investment.  For instance, Samsung invested 11 billion USD for factories in Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Ho Chi Minh city; Intel also declared production line of Haswell chip for desktop in Vietnam;  expecting to accommodate 80% global demand within the next six months.

2014 is the year for transferringbig enterprises from China to Vietnam. Not only Samsung, Intel, Nokia… but also many enterprises in textile, shoes, are pouring billion USD to manufactories in Vietnam, even when they already have had large factories in China.

Considering Vietnam’s opportunities, many experts suppose that Vietnam should prepare thoroughly in order not to be disadvantageous in our own house, by enforcing science and technology, developing supportive industries and improving competitive ability. If we can do well these stages, Vietnam will receive chances from future transfers.

Thảo Anh

Theo InfoNet

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