Commencing Vietnam – Singapore business forum 2014

Over 250 participants including government officials, industry leaders, and top executives from Vietnam and Singapore organizations and businesses are meeting for business discussions in the context of the new Strategic Partnership Agreement

Ho Chi Minh City, 04 June 2014 – The Vietnam – Singapore Business Forum 2014 (VSBF 2014), officially commenced today at Duxton Hotel Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City with over 250 participants and panelists coming from ministries, trade and investment promotion organizations, local provinces, and leading corporations from Vietnam and Singapore.

The event is hosted by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and will continue until 06 June 2014. VSBF 2014 is supported by International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore), the Singapore Embassy in Vietnam, Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), Singapore Business Group (SBG), and Singapore Business Association Vietnam (SBAV).

VSBF 2014 creates a great opportunity for Vietnam and Singapore businesses to get updates of Vietnam’s economic outlook, investment environment, and the commitment of both government and local authorities in maintaining benefits and a stable investment environment for Singapore’s investors, as well as explore business opportunities under the Strategic Partnership through direct dialogue with representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment and various economic experts.

Dr. Doan Duy Khuong, Vice President of VCCI emphasized in his opening remarks: “VSBF 2014 is considered an important annual event which will deeply contribute to the success of multifaceted cooperation relations between Vietnam and Singapore. I believe that the event will continue to connect businesses of the two countries and provide a great platform to explore new opportunities, especially under the new Strategic Partnership as well as in the context of moving towards the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015”.

Ms. Edlyn Khoo, Centre Director (Ho Chi Minh City), Southeast Asia Group, International Enterprise Singapore, said: “Vietnam is a country with strong economic fundamentals such as a growing young working population, and rich endowment of resources. Singapore companies are good potential partners, with services and expertise that can complement Vietnam’s strengths. At the same time, a safe and stable business environment continues to be critical to investment decisions. Closer collaboration on both sides will benefit not just businesses, but will also positively impact on the local community through job creation and knowledge transfer”.

On the second day of VSBF 2014 (05 June 2014), the event will continue with panel discussions on four main topics: Financial Services Cooperation, Tourism & Hospitality, Agriculture & Aquaculture Production and Real Estate Investment. The panel discussions will be moderated by well-known industry leaders, experts and policy makers. The third day (06 June 2014) will include industrial site visits to industrial zones and corporations located in Binh Duong province.

The exhibition booths at the Forum that included both Singaporean and Vietnamese companies drew significant attention from participants. Bringing together a group of leading companies showcasing their products and services, the VSBF 2014 exhibition area is an interactive platform for business networking and matching activities. VSBF 2014 exhibitors include financial institutions, real-estate corporates, trade promoting organizations, to name a few. During the first two days of the event, the exhibition area will remain open to the public.

VSBF 2014 has received great support from business communities. The event is honored to be presented by the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam, a universal bank with strong expertise in retail, wholesale and investment banking that facilitates efficient domestic economic growth which exercises considerable influence on the regional and global financial community. Other industry leaders who have contributed greatly to the event are Ascendas-Protrade Co., Ltd., Mapletree Vietnam Management Consultancy Co., Ltd., Victoria Hotels & Resorts, Keppel Land Vietnam Co., Ltd, Gold Roast Vietnam Co., Ltd, and Sagiko Co., Ltd.