Vietnam and Japan Signed 12 Cooperation Agreements

The Secretary General of Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, the President of Japan – Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Union- Nikai Toshihiro, on January 12^th, 2020 met with the Vietnam’s Prime Minister- Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hoi An to discuss economic, cultural and tourist exchange topics.

At the meeting, the representative of Vietnam welcomed the Japanese delegation to come and exchange of economic, cultural and tourism exchanges of the two countries. The representative of Vietnam affirmed that Vietnam appreciate the cooperation with Japan, especially in economic matters. At the moment, Japan is the top country with FDI in Danang in particular and Vietnam in general. The Japanese investors set up company, obtain investment registation certificate and invest in various business lines including IT, trading, real estate, design consultancy, engineering. Based on the cooperation between the countries, Vietnam and Japan have achieved many positive effects on the economy, education, culture, social security.

The representative of Vietnam confirmed that the relationship between the countries developed into many fields as “extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia” established in 2014, in which, Japan always is the trustful, important partner of Vietnam.

The representative of Japan expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam in the beginning of  2020. He said that the organization of the delegation has the largest scale ever with more than 1,000 delegates, and diverse members from National Assembly deputies, representatives of ministries, branches, local leaders, businesses and people of Japan showed high interest and consensus within Japan from the National Assembly, the Government, localities, business community and people towards strengthening and deepening friendly and cooperative relations with Vietnam in the coming time.

By this meeting, the representatives of the two countries witnessed the signing and exchange of 12 cooperation documents, memorandums of understanding between ministries, branches, localities and businesses of the two countries. By these cooperation documents, the two countries hope that in the future, they will cooperate more together in all aspects of culture, education, economy and society to realize their construction goals and develop the countries.

ANT Lawyers is a law firm in Vietnam located in the business centers of Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh city. We provide convenient access to our clients. Please contact us to book your time in advance to let us provide our best services.

Read More

Will Form New Value Chain in Vietnam – Japan Economic Cooperation

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.

Read More

Many Foreign Brands Are Coming to Vietnam

Realizing that Vietnam is a promising market, foreign enterprises want to do business in Vietnam through the form of franchising. Recently, many consumer goods, fashion and cosmetics brands from Japan and Thailand are promoting the franchise with Vietnamese partners and enterprises.

In the framework of the program “Vietnam – Thailand Enterprises Interaction in The Field of Franchising” which was held in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) recently, there were 40 Thailand enterprises operating in the food, beverage, restaurant, supermarket, health care, cosmetic sectors joined to find partners in Vietnam.

According Mr Nupartpat Sutthitham, Director of the MP Mart convenience store chain (Thailand), currently in Thailand there are 3 MP Mart stores, in which the model is not the same as Family Mart or Circle K. While Family Mart sells mainly food (80%), MP Mart sells mainly fast moving consumer goods, which are produced in Thailand (70%).

According to representatives of MP Mart, the cost to open a store in Thailand with an average area of 150 m2 is approximately 50,000 USD. Realizing the Vietnam market has many opportunities, MP Mart wants to explore and this is the first time this brand comes to Vietnam. The criteria for selection of investors, partners of MP Mart are having financial resources to be able to scaling this model in large numbers in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, according to representatives of Kokekokko – a well-known chicken fast food brand in Thailand with 5 stores, using Japanese spices to marinate chicken. Representatives of this brand also did not hide their intention to find partners with business understanding and financial resources to open stores in Vietnam.

Also in late November of 2016, there were 9 Japan enterprises with 14 fashion brands came to Vietnam to find partners to open franchise stores or distribute products in the domestic market.

According to Mr Akira Kaise, representatives of I Am Company Limited, this fashion brand has been presented in many markets around the world such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Korea, Taiwan, Spain, UK, Netherlands… and this is the first time he comes to Vietnam to study the market.

Representative of I Am Co., Ltd commented that young population, good economic development, increasing people’s incomes… are factors to make Vietnam becoming a potential market for fashion items. In addition to the market penetration, the Company is also interested in outsourcing or investing in Vietnam to take advantage of low labor costs and highly skilled labors.

At the Vietnam market, Japanese businesses are often mentioned in the culinary field, meanwhile, the fashion, cosmetics or beauty brands are not widely known by consumers. Thus, recently, many Japanese cosmetic brands have decided to enter the market of Vietnam and looking for official distributors.

In an activity operated by the Esuhai Company of Vietnam recently in HCMC, there were nearly 10 cosmetic brands of Japan participated. Among them, the brand Kose is well known by many consumers.

According to the representative of Kose, this enterprise has been established since 1946, global sales reached 2.1 billion USD a year and has been presented in 18 countries. However, so far, this brand does not have official distribution channel in Vietnam market. Therefore, along with the promotion of market presence and product introduction, on this occasion, Kose desires to find agents and official partner in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, according to representatives of Nippon Menard Cosmetic Company, owner of the brand Menard, the Company is fully confident to introduce their products to consumers in Vietnam and wanted to find good partners to be able to access to more consumers.

According to the representatives of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in HCMC, Vietnam currently has more than 93 million populations, of which half are women who want to become more beautiful as earnings are improving and willing to spend the budget for beauty and body care. Therefore, this is a favorable time and good opportunity for the Japanese cosmetics brand to penetrate the market of Vietnam.

However, there is the fact that the Japanese cosmetic and fashion products are priced relatively high compared to the average income of local consumers. In addition, the Japanese fashion is not common in Vietnam market. Therefore, this is seen as the first step for the fashion and cosmetic brands of Japan to explore the market and find partners.

Read More

Japanese Enterprises Aimed at Vietnam Textile Industry after TPP

From the beginning of the year, the number of Japanese companies comes to Vietnam to explore investment and business opportunities in Vietnam equal with the same period last year, even slightly increase but not decrease even if the total direct investment from Japan to Vietnam has decreased slightly.

The wave of investment from Japan can be stimulated to rise again if the TPP agreement was signed.

Besides the potential agricultural sector, Japanese firms are also attracted by the textile fibers and garments sectors of Vietnam after TPP. Japan has the advantages of owning multiple weaving technologies that are new in Vietnam such as 3D weaving technology.

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

Read More