Vietnam and European Union Will Eliminate over 99% Import Tariffs on Each Other

set-up business in Vietnam

At a press conference on October 30th in Vietnam informed of important agreements between Vietnam and European Union (EU), Mr. Bruno Angelet – Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) said that early August 2015, the EU and Vietnam has announced the conclusion of negotiations but the negotiation group continues to resolve the remaining technical issues, while improving documents.

Once completed, the Agreement must be approved by the National Assembly of Vietnam, the Council and the European Parliament. Accordingly, Vietnam and the EU will eliminate over 99% of import tariffs.

For the few remaining tariffs, both parties will grant each other tariff quota or tariff reduction. This can be seen as the highest level of commitment that Vietnam has achieved in the FTA has been signed so far.

In the investment sector, the commitments to ensure an open business and investment environment to help promote high quality investment flows of both the EU and other partners in Vietnam. Thus, Vietnam has the opportunity to become the connection for trade and investment activities between EU and other countries in the region.

In addition, the commitments related to investment, liberalization of trade, service, Government procurement and intellectual property protection… will also open up opportunities for both sides to approach each other’s markets and ensure balance overall benefit.

EU can become the best partner in the future of Vietnam because Vietnam is also becoming one of the most dynamic countries and have good relationship with EU in the region. EU can support Vietnam in many fields such as governance models and provide excellent services in the field of infrastructure, training and education, the judiciary and law, health, social insurance and sustainable energy.

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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Tourism Industry in Vietnam

Industrial business consultant in Vietnam

The tourism industry is regarded as an smokeless industry, holds an important position in the global economy and Vietnam is not an exception. As a new destination with natural resources and many foreign investment hotels and resorts, Vietnam tourism industry has developed rapidly in the past decade and has the potential to develop further in the coming time.

1. Tourism – impressive numbers

In 2015, Vietnam tourism industry has made remarkable achievements in terms of revenue, number of passengers and the improvement of infrastructure systems. Particularly, the country has received more than 7.94 million international passengers and served 57 million domestic tourists; the whole industry reached 402.66 trillion VND revenue, and has 18,800 accommodation places with 355,000 chambers.

According to the General Statistics Office, total industry revenue reached 402.66 trillion, contributing 9.6% to GDP and increased 5.75% compared to 2014. In particular, revenue from accommodation F&B services reached 372.24 thousand billion VND and revenues from travel services reached 30.41 trillion VND.

Vietnam tourism industry has consistently recorded growth of tourists, both domestic and international from 2010 to 2015. According to the General Department of Tourism, Private 2015, the country has received more than 7.94 million international visitors and serve 57 million domestic tourists, increased 48.1% and 0.9% respectively compared to 2014.

In terms of foreign tourists, the number of tourists coming from Northeast Asia region accounted for the highest proportion of international visitors to Vietnam. There are 1,781 thousand Chinese tourists travelling to Vietnam, accounting for 22.4% of international passengers to Vietnam in 2015; followed by South Korea (1,113 thousand passengers, representing 14.0%) and Japan (671 thousand passengers, accounting for 8.5%).

Vietnam Tourism 2015 also achieved positive outcome in the development of luxury infrastructure systems. According to the General Department of Tourism, in the end of 2015, there were 18,800 accommodation places with 355,000 chamber; of which the number of hotel 3-5 star hotels reached 747, increased 16.7% compared to 640 3-5 star hotels of 2014. In particular, there are 441 of 3-star hotel with 30.734 suites, 215 of 4-star hotel with 27.379 91 suites of 24.212 suites of 5 star hotel with suites.

HCMC – economic center and Hanoi – the capital are destinations which were highly selected by the tourists, especially for international tourists. By the end of 2015, HCMC has received 4.7 million international passengers, 19.3 million domestic visitors while Hanoi has served 3.4 million international tourists and 16.4 million domestic tourists.

2.Opportunities

The participation in TPP and AEC has brought Vietnam huge opportunities. Firstly, lessening legal conditions of investment and freedom of labor movement between the 12 countries help to increase demand for travel as investment opportunities, jobs combined with tourism; as well as density, size and type of international tourists such as combination of business travel – meetings (MICE)

Secondly, all the trade agreements has created favorable conditions for tourism industry to develop. The international visitors have the privileges to make procedures faster with affordable price by temporary commitments of business visitors under TPP agreement

Finally, 5/12 of TPP countries are on the top of ecologically diverse countries list which lead to the need of tightening the requirements on hygiene and environmental factors… Therefore, all of these factors and infrastructure will be improved as the implementation of commitments in the TPP. This promotes sustainability for tourism industry.

3.Challenges

According to the many agencies the tourism industry has been facing many challenges.

As outdated infrastructure, lack of integrity leads to the fact that the accessibility of tourist destinations is limited, particularly mountainous areas. Lack of uniqueness, innovation in tourism products is also an issue that has not been able to be handled in Vietnam

In addition, there has been missing human resources to serve in the industry. Tourism activity still strongly depends on season, the quality of service during peak period is not guaranteed.

Besides, the budget for tourism promotion is still limited, particularly compare with other countries in the region; funding comes from mainly state budget. The promotional activities has not built professionally, promoting only image is not enough to attract tourists. Promotion only should focus on building brand and unique products. The budget for scientific research and application of science and technology in tourism industry is still limited.

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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UK Company Interested in Vietnam Aviation Market

Vietnam company formation

NATS (National Air Traffic Solutions), a UK-based aviation solutions provider, has showed its ambition to set up company in Vietnam and enter the Vietnam aviation market. In addition, NATS is interested in Long Thanh Airport.

NATS is headquartered in the UK but the company is also present in Asia and is currently implementing a globalization strategy. NATS is planning to expand its market in addition to offices currently based in Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. In which, Vietnam is an important market for NATS because Vietnam aviation market is growing at a very fast speed. The number of passengers is expected to double by 2020.

Vietnamese airlines are bringing in a lot of new aircrafts. Therefore, Vietnam aviation industry is facing many challenges in terms of infrastructure and air traffic control… Therefore, NATS with experiences working and managing airports with one, two, three runways as well as the busiest airports in the world are ready to assist the Vietnam aviation authorities to operate more effectively.

Long Thanh Airport is a concern of NATS because it will be a large airport. NATS always wants to be able to deliver efficient, optimal management solutions to airports with high capacity. Currently, NATS is supporting the management of 2.4 million flights and 250 million passengers a year in the UK. Moreover, they are also involved in managing and providing solutions to many major airports in Europe. NATS has been presented in Asia for 40 – 50 years and has cooperated with gateway airports in Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore…

NATS has met and worked with Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM), a member of CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organization) to discuss the potential and opportunities for cooperation in the coming time.

In the short term, NATS will cooperate with VATM to open training courses, for example air traffic controllers. At the same time, NATS will learn more about the Vietnam market. If you have the opportunity and opportunity, NATS will set up a representative office in Vietnam.

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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Vietnam Welcomes Trillion Renewable Energy Projects

Energy consultant in Vietnam

The number of renewable energy projects with total investment capital of about 1,200 – 1,400 billion VND is constantly increasing, confirming that investment in Vietnam renewable energy is an attractive trend.

Recently, the People’s Committee of Binh Thuan Province has handed the decision and received commitment to invest in renewable energy of 20 enterprises in order to diversify the form of energy production, step by step achieving the goal of becoming a large national energy center of the country in the next few years.

Currently, Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan are the two leading provinces in attracting investment in renewable energy because most of the area has an average radiation intensity of about 5 kWh per square meter, less rainfall and hours of sunshine always maintained at an ideal level.

Although the natural conditions are not as favorable as Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan, some neighboring provinces such as Khanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Binh Dinh… also attract many domestic and foreign enterprises committed to pour capital.

Most recently, Fujiwara (Japan) also received license to invest in solar and wind power plants in Binh Dinh with total capital of 1,446 billion VND. According to the investment registration progress, the project will be implemented right in 2017 and is expected to complete the first phase in the first quarter 2019.

Recently, more and more businesses outside the industry have not hidden their ambition to enter the renewable energy sector. According to Deputy General Director of Bamboo Capital, the company plans to raise 300 million USD through issuing bonds and certificates with rights to buy shares held in period from 2017 to 2020. In which, about 100 million USD will be poured into renewable energy projects.

According to this year’s plan, the company will promote the procedure to build a 140 MW solar power plant in Long An province. In addition, the company is seeking investment opportunity in solar power projects in Phu Ninh (Quang Nam) and Ninh Thuan, while taking advantage of international relations to attract capital and experiences from foreign investors.

Furthermore, Bamboo Capital expects to officially sell electricity and record revenue from the energy segment by 2018. By 2020, this segment will be able to deliver significant revenue streams to the company.

Explaining the fact that businesses are racing to plan, commit to invest and directly invest in renewable energy sector, the Renewable Energy Center (under The Energy Institute) thinks that it comes from many factors. First of all, the demand for energy is rising, while the supply of fossil fuels is becoming more expensive and exhausting.

In addition, the technology enters the ripe stage, making business easier to access, while reducing the difference in levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) compared to thermal power. A few years ago, the cost of producing wind electricity was about 3,500 VND per kWh and now it drops to 2,200 – 2,500 VND.

Moreover, the incentive mechanism for the development of solar power projects issued in April this year has also influenced the investment decisions of enterprises. Currently, the purchase price of electricity at the power point is 2,086 VND (equivalent to 9.35 cents/kWh).

In addition, investors are also entitled to many tax incentives such as import tax exemption for imported goods to create fixed assets, exempt from land use fees, land rent, water surface rent at the construction location, lines, substations connected to the grid. In the short term, it is likely that the Government of Vietnam will also consider increasing wind power prices to assist businesses, boosting investment to achieve a total capacity of 6,000 MW by 2030.

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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Startup in Ho Chi Minh City Will Be as Convenient as in Singapore

set-up company in Ho Chi Minh City

A series of specific commitments has been confirmed by HCMC’s Party Secretary Nguyen Thien Nhan to help startup environment in HCMC becoming as favorable as in Singapore.

The city is committed to preparing an industrial park reserved for newly startup and innovative businesses. Secondly, the procedure for setting up new business in HCMC will be as good as in Singapore. Third, in addition to private investment, the city will also, on a case-by-case basis, pilot public-private partnerships in support of innovative entrepreneurship.

In addition to the above 3 commitments, according to Mr Nguyen Thien Nhan, HCMC will have a general information page to reflect the creative start-up activities in the area. At the same time, he decided to meet face-to-face with the startup community twice a year to listen to their mind and remove difficulties in time.

In general, in the past year, HCMC has had very specific and significant results in comparison with other provinces in terms of start-up activities. According to director of the Department of Science and Technology of HCMC, this agency has set up 5 spaces to support innovative start-ups and links with 24 business incubators with a total floor area of over 22,000 square meters. Of which, 50% capital is from socialization.

In addition, The SpeedUp 2017 program has provided financial support tools from the budget for innovative startup projects through enterprise incubators. In the past 8 months, this program has received and processed 112 innovative startup project applications. The number of selected projects was 14/112 (12.5%), which is quite high compared to the current selection rate of many investment funds (VIISA reaches 5%, VSVA reaches 8%).

This year, the HCMC Department of Science and Technology has also set up 4 Steering Committee for Innovative Ecosystems for 4 key areas of the city, including mechanics, food processing, plastic – rubber – chemistry and information technology.

With a network of 145 consultants and innovative start-up advisors from many different disciplines, up to now, 938 start-up projects have been connected to help develop business ideas. There are 3,200 individuals and start-up groups connected to investors, experts and consultancy organizations. Moreover, over 300 startup products are promoted to the community.

However, a general assessment from the Department of Science and Technology of the City, most startups in Vietnam are newly invested at the seed stage with small scale and the possibility of breakthrough growth is not high. This is a matter of concern.

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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