Prepared and ready for business in Binh Duong

Frank-Jürgen Richter, chairman of HORASIS

HORASIS will again take place in Binh Duong, after the province hosted the event in 2018. What is the top focus for the event this year?

The key message of HORASIS 2019 is that Vietnam is ready for business. It is willing to engage with entrepreneurs from around the world, and in all industry sectors. Vietnam’s government has remained committed to reform. Vietnam is primed for greater global interest and investment.

What will be the main topics of ­interest among the international participants, and in particular ­issues which directly impact ­Vietnam?

Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, expanding at an average of about 7 per cent per annum over the past three decades. I expect this rapid growth to continue in the coming years, backed by strong investments in infrastructure and the implementation of policies and frameworks conducive to greater investment in manufacturing. I believe that Vietnam’s economy will continue closing the gap on more developed economies in Asia and elsewhere. HORASIS delegates want to grasp Vietnam’s momentum, invest early, and benefit from the nation’s steady and sustainable development.

How do you assess Binh Duong and Vietnam’s potential for attracting foreign direct investment?

Vietnam has been viewed favourably as an investment destination by investors for a while now. Strong economic fundamentals coupled with firm government commitment to more open trade and investment have stood the country in good stead.

With uncertainty stemming from the trade war between China and the United States, many businesses are looking at other production locations in the wider Asia Pacific region, and Vietnam looks set to benefit the most. Binh Duong in particular has all the ingredients to become one of Asia’s most attractive investment destinations. I want to highlight Binh Duong’s recent scaling up of smart infrastructure and the creation of a knowledge-based economy.

How can HORASIS help Binh Duong and Vietnam to welcome more foreign investors?

We invited CEOs and investors from Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, India, and the rest of the world. They are all coming to Binh Duong to learn about the most recent projects and initiatives, and of course to also look into concrete FDI opportunities. We will arrange roundtables and private meetings between them and local authorities, and hopefully we will see lots of interesting deals taking place.