There have not yet been many mega deals involving Japanese investors on a par with pre-pandemic levels. What factors are currently affecting Japanese M&A trends in Vietnam? Masataka “Sam” Yoshida, head of the Cross-border Division of RECOF Corporation and CEO of RECOF Vietnam Co., Ltd. First of all, deals as large as VPBank’s sale of its stake in FE Credit to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group do not occur frequently. In fact, the M&A story in Southeast Asia is largely written by mid-cap companies rather than the large ones, as the region is home to a significant number of companies with enterprise values between $50 million and $500 million. The same is true in Vietnam, where middle market M&A has been a major driver of deal activity. Many smaller Vietnamese enterprises have proven resilient and successful in the face of recent global crises, and they have become desirable acquisition targets. As borders reopened, we got off to a solid start this … [Read more...] about Assessing Japanese M&A deals in a turbulent period
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UKVFTA promotes cooperation in digital transformation, energy transition
Vietnam was making strong efforts towards the goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045, to which digital transformation and energy transition are considered launch pads for the economy. During a visit to the U.K. from August 10 to 15, Politburo member and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh said that Vietnam had set strategic goals in digital transformation, digital economy and green energy conversion to achieve rapid, sustainable and inclusive growth and net zero carbon emissions as well as adaptation to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0). The two countries had established a solid relationship framework, especially with the UKVFTA which came into force more than a year ago, he said, emphasizing many similarities in priority development goals. “Similarities in priority development goals create a very important foundation to boost the bilateral relations, especially in areas where the U.K. has strength in and Vietnam has … [Read more...] about UKVFTA promotes cooperation in digital transformation, energy transition
International Travel Expo – HCM City returns with various events
2019 International Travel Expo – Ho Chi Minh City (Photo courtesy of the organising board) HCM City (VNA) – The 16th International Travel Expo – Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2022) will feature a variety of events at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in District 7 from September 8 – 10, after a two-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ITE HCMC, the largest and most established travel event in the Mekong Delta region, will be held under the theme of “Growing Forward Together” as part of the efforts to revive inbound tourism. The hybrid event will feature more than 200 exhibitors, including airlines, hotels and resorts, tour operators, foreign travel promotion agencies, and enterprises from 45 Vietnamese cities and provinces. It also expects to attract 150 international buyers who are leaders of travel companies and MICE organisers from major markets, such as Southeast Asia, Europe, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the US, Australia, and New Zealand. … [Read more...] about International Travel Expo – HCM City returns with various events
Thailand saw 3.78 million tourists from January to mid-August
The arrivals, mainly from Malaysia, India and Singapore, generated revenues of 176 billion baht ($4.93 billion), said Taweesin Visanuyothin, a spokesperson for the government's Covid-19 taskforce. Thailand will extend the duration of its visa-on-arrival, which applies to nationals of India, China and Saudi Arabia, from 15 days to 30 days starting in October, said Taweesin. The measure is aimed at boosting the tourism sector as it recovers from a pandemic-induced slump. Last year, the foreign arrivals plummeted to just 428,000 because of the pandemic, compared with a record of nearly 40 million in 2019, contributing to about 12% of GDP. Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expects 8 million to 10 million arrivals this year, above an earlier forecast of 7 million, according to the Finance Ministry. … [Read more...] about Thailand saw 3.78 million tourists from January to mid-August