iadvisory Seminar Series: Doing Business in Vietnam

Doing Business in Vietnam
International Enterprise (IE) Singapore is pleased to present as part of the iadvisory Seminar Series: "Doing Business in Vietnam", a one-day seminar exploring market opportunities and highlighting issues that companies should look out for when expanding into Vietnam.

Vietnam's economy has been growing at an average annual rate of 7% since 2000. Last year, the country's real GDP growth was at 8.5% and it is forecasted to be strong in 2008 -12, at an average of around 8% a year.

In 2006, Vietnam was Singapore's 19th largest trading partner, total trade increased by 8.6% in 2006 to S$11.3 billion. Singapore was Vietnam's 4th largest trading partner. Vietnam's entry to the World Trade Organisation will support continued strong growth in merchandise exports, presenting a host of opportunities to foreign investors.

Find out how you can tap into these business and trading opportunities and learn about the issues and challenges of doing business in Vietnam.

Seminar Details

Date	24 June 2008, Tuesday
Time	8.30am – 5.00pm
Venue	Meritus Mandarin Singapore Mandarin Court Grand Tower Level 4 333 Orchard Road
Fees Include seminar materials, 1-to-1 business clinic & lunch	S$80 (General Public) S$60 (Members of ieConnect and *supporting organizations)

Programme⁺

0830	Registration
0900	Welcome Address By Ms Angela Png, Regional Director (South East Asia) IE Singapore
0910	Sharing the Understanding of Business & Investment Opportunities and Practices in Vietnam By Mr Nguyen Ngoc Hai, Commercial Counselor Vietnam Embassy in Singapore Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore
0950	An introduction to Vietnam By Mr Quang Buu Huynh, Senior Vice-President and Head of Commercial Banking HSBC Vietnam
1035	Tea Break
1100	Regulations for Setting Up in Vietnam Taxation in Vietnam (Labour Laws, Personal Income Tax, Expatriate Taxation) By Mr Le Quang Phi, Partner STT Audit & Advisory Partnership
1145	Logistics, Freight & Customs Issues By Mr Sunny Chia Director, International Trade Services United Parcel Services Asia Pacific Region
1230	Lunch
1330	Tapping on The ASEAN Free Trade Agreement By Ms Maler Vilee IE Singapore's FTA Panel of Advisors
1400	Human Resource Issues in Vietnam By Ms Wong Su-Yen, Managing Director, ASEAN Mercer
1445	Tea Break
1505	www.iadvisory.com.sg – Connecting Global Experts with Singapore-Based Companies By Ms Leong Liduan, Consultant IE Singapore
1515	Case Study: Experiences in Vietnam By Mr Simon Ong, Group Managing Director Kingsmen Creatives Ltd
1600	1-to-1 business clinics**
1700	END

⁺ Programme is correct at time of print but subjected to change without notice.
**Registration for 1-to-1 business clinic with speakers will be conducted onsite on 24 June 2008 and each company is entitled to a 15-minute clinic session with each of the speakers. Slots are limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.

Registration and Enquiry
If you are interested to attend this event, please register online at the registration link above by 20 June 2008, Friday.
For enquiries, please contact us at 1800-IESPORE (437 7673).

Terms & Conditions

1. All prices are inclusive of 7% GST.
2. Payment is required with registration and must be received prior to the event to guarantee your seat. IE Singapore reserves the right to refuse entry if payment is not received prior to the event.
3. As seats are limited, applications will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.
4. Full refund is applicable to unsuccessful applicants and for cancellation in which IE Singapore is informed at least 2 working days before the event date.
5. An administrative charge of S$50 is applicable for any late cancellation or "no-show".

Mr Le Quang Phi
Partner, STT Audit & Advisory Partnership
To cope with the fast growing economy and the scheduled full integration process to WTO, the Vietnam's Government has been constantly revising and upgrading the legal framework of Vietnam. This has been perceived as a welcome as well as challenging move by foreign investor communities in the regions. Mr Le Quang Phi, a tax and investment advisory partner of STT Audit and Advisory in Vietnam will present to update you as well as give you some insights on the latest and noteworthy changes in the tax laws of Vietnam.

With more than twelve (12) years experience in tax and corporate advisory services, with eight years with international accounting firms in Vietnam, Mr Le Quang Phi is presently leading tax and investment advisory services in STT across Vietnam.

Mr Phi specializes areas including consultancy on Vietnam taxation laws, legal framework, laws for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam, foreign invested project implementation regulatory issues.

Mr Sunny Chia
Director, International Trade Services, United Parcel Service Asia Pacific Region
Vietnam is often seen as the next hotspot after China. Mr Sunny Chai will provide insights on the logistics developments and infrastructure as well as the regulatory framework that support businesses, and the progress with Customs reforms and modernisation in Vietnam to facilitate global trade since joining the WTO.

Mr Sunny Chia is based in the UPS Asia Pacific Region Office in Singapore, and is responsible for all global trade facilitation matters, and international customs operations activities in the Asia Pacific Region.

He is actively involved in working with both APEC and ASEAN Customs Administrations within the Asia Pacific region in facilitating Global Trade across international borders.

Mr Simon Ong
Group Managing Director, Kingsmen Creative Ltd
An early entrant into Vietnam, Kingsmen's 15-year experience has been both challenging & rewarding. From the challenges of the early start-up days, to the economic downturn in the late 90s & the rapid economic boom over the last few years, Mr Simon Ong will share on how Kingsmen has endeavored & emerged as one of the most recognizable foreign brands in interiors & exhibitions.

Mr Simon Ong is responsible for the strategic planning, creative standard and development of the Group's image. Mr Ong is one of the founders of the Group and has contributed significantly to the growth of the Group for the past 31 years. He was the President of the Interior Designers Association, Singapore (1995-1997), Vice-Chairman of the Potong Pasir CC Management Committee (1998-2003) and a member of the Advisory Committee of Temasek Polytechnic School of Design (1998-2007).

He is currently Chairman of the Design Manpower, Skills & Training Council and an IDP member of the Singapore Design Council. He was awarded a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Australia and a Master of Design from the University of New South Wales.

Date:
24/06/2008

For more information, please contact:
Organiser: IE Singapore
Contact Person: Customer Service
Telephone no: 1800-IESPORE (437 7673)