On the 05th December 2017, in Thu Dau Mot – the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) officially launched its Chapter, which will be assisting companies more closely in Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Tay Ninh.
The EuroCham Southeastern Vietnam Chapter Launch (ESV Chapter Launch) was hosted by Becamex IDC, in an event led by EuroCham Co-Chairman Mr. Nicolas Audier. Speaking to an audience of company representatives, industrial park authorities and local officials, Mr. Audier mentioned the importance of the Southeastern region as a motor of the Vietnamese economy, and where EuroCham has over 100 members. EuroCham expects that more European investors may arrive ahead of the coming into force of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (scheduled for 2018). This Chapter is a way to anticipate the need for more business engagement activities in the southeast.
EuroCham Co-Chairman Mr. Nicolas Audier opened the business luncheon and officially launched EuroCham's Southeastern Chapter
The ESV Chapter is not an office and is not a working location, rather the coming together of three EuroCham members who volunteer to become EuroCham delegates, and who will be driving EuroCham’s local activities. The first ESV Delegates appointed for the 2018 term are Mr. Alexander Goetz from Fischer Asia, and Ms. Uyen Tran from Deloitte Vietnam.
Group Photo with Vice Chairman of the Binh Duong People's Committee Mr. Tran Thanh Liem; and EuroCham Co-Chairman Mr. Nicolas Audier, EuroCham Executive Committee members Mr. Pavel Poskakukhin (Deloitte Vietnam) and Mr. Joshua James (Apollo 360 Education); and ESV Delegates Mr. Alexander Goetz from Fischer Asia, and Ms. Uyen Tran from Deloitte Vietnam.
The Launch event was preceded by a meeting with the Vice Chairman of the Binh Duong People's Committee Mr. Tran Thanh Liem, who welcomed its creation. The meeting gathered a EuroCham delegation with representatives from all relevant investment authorities and industrial zones of Binh Duong. Mr. Liem welcomed EuroCham’s interest in Binh Duong and asked the Chamber for continuous support in calling for more investment to the province, as well as its promotion abroad.
Mr. Nicolas Audier referred the efforts in that direction that EuroCham is employing with the creation of the ESV Chapter, and also delivered the EuroCham Whitebook 2017. EuroCham Executive Committee members Mr. Pavel Poskakukhin (Deloitte Vietnam) and Mr. Joshua James (Apollo 360 Education) also mentioned the contributions of their respective companies to the region.
EuroCham Co-Chairman Mr. Nicolas Audier delivered the EuroCham Whitebook to Vice Chairman of the Binh Duong People's Committee Mr. Tran Thanh Liem
The Launch event that followed this meeting marked the official launch the ESV Chapter at The Square convention centre in Thu Dau Mot. This Chapter is the third the Chamber has opened following the Central Vietnam (since November 2016, based in Danang) and Northeastern Vietnam (since October 2017, based in Hai Phong) Chapters. The ESV Chapter aims to strengthen the dialogue between foreign investors and local Governments, but also to bring the business community closer in Southeastern Vietnam
Ms. Uyen Tran from Deloitte Vietnam, after Mr. Alexander Goetz from Ficher Asia, was appointed as ESV Delegates for the 2018 term by EuroCham Co-Chairman Mr. Nicolas Audier
QUOTES:
Nicolas Audier, Co-Chairman, EuroCham highlighted: “The Southeastern region is a leading region in terms of foreign direct investment in Vietnam and this is also reflected in the number of EuroCham members here, which counts more than 100. Ahead of the coming of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which we all hope arrives as scheduled next year; EuroCham wants to be closer to its current and prospective members in Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Tay Ninh. We open this Chapter at the right time, partnering with members in Binh Duong, a province that, like EuroCham, wants to promote sustainable and responsible business, as well as prepare itself for a future with advanced smart city policies. We believe that strengthening the dialogue between EuroCham and the local Governments in these 5 provinces will not only help our members be more confident and connected in their business operations, can contribute to a better understanding of the provinces of what investors need. Aligning is the key word, and this is what this Chapter is here for.”
Alexander Goetz, EuroCham Southeastern Vietnam Delegate highlighted:“We are a family-owned SME from Germany and chose Binh Duong as our place of business. We are happy with how we are able to run our operations smoothly, but we feel more can be done. We are happy to be able share our experience in Southeastern Vietnam with other European companies and also help the community connect to local Governments. Fischer Asia is glad to be able to contribute to the EuroCham Southeastern Vietnam Chapter, certain that we will make a difference in bringing the business community in the region closer together.
Uyen Tran, EuroCham Southeastern Vietnam Delegate highlighted: “Deloitte Vietnam is a pioneer in the Advisory and Audit industry with over 26 years of experience in Vietnam market. We are a part of the global Deloitte network which is one of the four largest professional services organizations in the world. Deloitte has a very close connection to the provinces around Ho Chi Minh City, particularly Binh Duong and Dong Nai, through many seminars and workshops that we have been doing to support FDI enterprises located in those regions. Personally, I have been dealing with clients in Southeastern Vietnam for many years and I believe that EuroCham’s objectives to bring the business community here closer together come at a right time. I am happy to be a part of it.”
Media Coverage
Binh Duong Television (BTV)
