January 2017

Happy New Year from Washington D.C.   May the Year of the Rooster be a great one for you, your families, your organizations, ASEAN and the United States.  

Last week the world watched as the United States peacefully transferred power from one President to another for the forty-fourth time.  The Council is committed to working with the new administration to ensure that the importance of the US-ASEAN relationship remains a focus.  2017 ushers in the 50^th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN in 1967 as well as the 40^th anniversary of formal US-ASEAN relations.  These two milestones offer an opportunity not only to celebrate but also highlight all that has been accomplished and all that ASEAN represents especially for American business.

This week has seen President Trump start to put his mark on his Administration and the country.    As you know, one of his very first acts was to formally withdraw the United States from the TransPacific Partnership (TPP).   In a letter to then President-elect Trump before his inauguration, the Council had advocated to try to find a way to fix the problems that the Trump Administration saw in TPP without immediately leaving the pact which we saw as both economically important for American business and jobs as well as strategically important for the United States in Asia. We also noted that the TPP agreement had already been a catalyst for new trade liberalization dialogues in the region and that some of its provisions could be included in the incoming administration’s future trade policy efforts to open more markets for Americans exporters.

At the start of the year, we are excited to have four new U.S. Ambassadors in place in ASEAN:  Ambassador Sung Kim in the Philippines, Ambassador Joe Donovan in Indonesia, Ambassador Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir in Malaysia and Ambassador Rena Bitter in Laos.   We also welcomed new Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Tan Sri Dr. Zulhasnan Rafique to Washington.  A formal welcome reception was held in Manila for Ambassador Kim this week and formal events for each of the other Ambassadors are in the works.

Highlights

Advocacy

1. The Council finalized and transmitted a letter to the President- Elect requesting a meeting with appropriate senior officials to discuss opportunities to improve the US-ASEAN economic relationship to promote exports and create jobs in the United States.  The letter offers ideas for discussion and recommendations for the first hundred days of the Trump Administration to help set the tone for the next four years of US-ASEAN relations. 
2. With Vietnam hosting the 2017 APEC Summit, the Council intends to advocate for several APEC related reforms and initiatives which are also consistent with our advocacy efforts in ASEAN.  The Council sent a letter of support of Senator Mazie Hirono’s APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTC) Reauthorization Act, a bill which would permanently reauthorize the issuance and use of ABTC.  Under current law, the ABTC program expires in 2018.  The proposed legislation is also being supported by NCAPEC. 
3. Earlier this month the Council joined fourteen other business organizations in an advocacy letter to the Government of the Philippines regarding a last-minute proposal to change certain provisions in the implementation of the “Sin Tax Reform Law” of 2012.  The business organizations are supporting the Department of Finance’s position to fully implement the provisions of the law which were meant to both help the government achieve its health goals and to improve its overall tax administration efforts by “unifying” excise tax rates in 2017 to simplify tax administration, optimize revenue collection and reduce levels of tax evasion and corruption.    Without any stakeholder engagement with industry, a last-minute proposal to the government by the Philippines Congress would prevent unifying excise tax rates for Cigarettes and replace with a two-tiered tax rate structure. 
4. The Council is currently drafting comments and recommendations to the Government of Myanmar on its recently issued draft implementing regulations for Myanmar’s Investment Law.  After obtaining comments from members, the Council will look to transmit its recommendations either solo and or as part of a joint effort with other US business organizations to the Government of Myanmar.
5. The Council submitted comments to the Government of Singapore on U.S. business priorities and recommendations for their 2017 national budget.  Overall, the recommendations advocate that the government of Singapore maintain a focus on investing in longer term support for technology adoption, business innovation, skills development and industry transformation.  to establish positive conditions for long term competitiveness CFE’s mission but also central to Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative. 

Intelligence

Our Thailand team examined the recent cabinet reshuffle. To read the full update, click here.

Relationship Building

Please save the date for the following Business Missions:

• Cambodia, February 21-22
• Vietnam, March 6-9

Promotion

The Council is exploring different ways to promote ASEAN’s 50^th anniversary and the 40^th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations.  If you feel your company has a good story to tell as part of this effort, please contact Anthony Nelson at anelson@usasean.org

Membership

2017 has started off well for the Council.  We have welcomed two new members:  The Asia Group and I.M. Systems Groups, both at the Corporate level.  The Asia Group is based in Washington, DC; I.M. Systems in Rockville. MD.  Welcome to the Council!

Additionally, both DuPont and Mead Johnson have upgraded to Chairman’s Council. 

Please contact Kathi Lunardi (klunard@usasean.com) if you have questions about membership or have a referral.

Regional Highlights

ASEAN

Looking Ahead

• Please join us for our next ASEAN Committee meeting, February 10 Singapore time/February 9 D.C. Time. Register here.
• Please mark your calendars for the 2017 AEM, tentatively scheduled for August 27-September 2 in Manila.

View the Council's latest ASEAN updates

APEC

The NC-APEC Executive Roundtable will be held in Singapore February 16 and 17. For more information, please view the flyer here.

View the Council's latest APEC updates

Industry Highlights

Customs

Major Developments

• The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) is continuing to release implementing regulations for the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.  Since December 8, BOC has posted calls for input on regulations covering authorized economic operators, bonded warehousing, dispute settlement,  and export clearance formalities.  Details of the drafts, consultation procedures, and a publication schedule can be found on the BOC website. 
• On December 18, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that Malaysia and Brunei had agreed in principle to resolve bureaucratic obstacles to efficient cross border travel between Brunei and Malaysia.
• Full adoption of Myanmar’s customs single window, the Myanmar automated cargo clearance system (MACCS), at all border points has been delayed until 2018.  The delay was announced after the first phase of MACCS’s launch at sea and air ports around Yangon in November 2016 encountered more challenges than expected due to connectivity problems and undertrained staff.

View the Council's latest Customs updates

Defense & Security

Major Developments

• On January 11, Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw appointed U Thaung Tun as the National Security Advisor, a newly-created position with the rank equivalent to Union Minister.  U Thaung Tun previously served as Myanmar’s Ambassador to the Philippines, and concurrently to Belgium, the Netherlands, and the EU.  He retired from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2010.  It is currently unclear what role the National Security Advisor will play vis-à-vis Myanmar’s still-powerful military.  An official statement from the President’s Office tasks the position with "strategically evaluating and advising the union government on security matters, both foreign and domestic".
• On January 23, the Council in coordination with Lockheed Martin International (LMI), launched the inaugural ASEAN Defense Attaches’ Tour. The Attaches visited LMI's facility in Washington, D.C. for a tour of its Concept and Development Center (CADC) on Littoral Combat Ships, followed by a discussion with industry experts on regional defense procurement trends and priorities. Participating countries include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Companies interested in a similar opportunity should contact Jack Myint at jmyint@usasean.org

View the Council's latest Defense & Security updates

Energy

Major Developments

• The Indonesian government released a long-awaited revision to its 2014 regulation banning the export of unprocessed mineral ores, which was slated to take effect this month.  The revision, Government Regulation No. 1/2017, relaxes the ban on nickel ore and bauxite and allows for the continued export of mineral concentrates.  In order to continue exporting, mining companies must change their permit status to a special mining license (IUPK), commit to building a smelter within five years, and commit to divesting 51% of their shares to the government within a decade after the start of production.
• On December 19, Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan announced that the government was planning to issue a new regulation covering production sharing contracts (PSCs) in the upstream oil and gas sector that would replace the existing cost-recovery system, in which the government reimburses contractors for exploration and production costs, with one in which contractors are responsible for the costs.  The new regulation, which Minister Jonan indicated would be released sometime in January, would only apply to future PSCs.  More information on the announcement can be found here.
• During a speech at the end of 2016 on the various initiatives that the Vietnamese government plans to implement to meet its greenhouse gas emissions goals as a signatory of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong announced that the government plans to increase the country’s wind power capacity to 6,000 MW by 2030.  The ambitious target, given that Vietnam currently has hardly any wind power generation capacity, is part of what Vuong described as a “fundamental need” to lessen the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and incorporate more clear and renewable energy sources into its energy mix.  More information on Vietnam’s plan to increase its wind power capacity can be found here.

View the Council's latest Energy updates

Financial Services

Major developments

• Governor of the Philippine Central Bank Amando Tetangco’s term will end on July 2, after serving under three presidents.  Although President Duterte has offered to reappoint him, many expect him to retire from the post.  Several deputy governors, private bankers, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay have been mentioned as possible replacements.
• The Brunei Monetary Authority (AMBD) released a year end statement on December 28, providing updates on its agenda. To access the statement, please click here.  The statement promises future action on non-performing loans, the Basel framework, new accounting standards, and fintech regulation.  It also notes that draft regulations for the new stock exchange have been completed.

View the Council's latest Financial Services updates

Food & Agriculture

Major Developments

In line with the Government of Indonesia’s announcement last November on agricultural self-sufficiency, Indonesian President Jokowi said in early January that Indonesia will not import medium quality rice this year because estimates for production and stocks of rice is sufficient.  Additionally, he said rice import permits in 2017 will only be approved for premium quality or specialty rice, and that the country would not import corn in 2017.  As for other agriculture commodities, the Government of Indonesia will allow imports of 1.5 million tons of raw sugar to meet domestic demand in the first half of the year.

Advocacy

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Cambodia has asked the Council to provide some practical feedback on the constraints U.S. companies are facing in investing in the agriculture sector in Cambodia, and comment on any difficulties in the existing regulatory procedures.  If your company is currently doing business in Cambodia, please share any feedback with Sunita Kapoor (skapoor@usasean.org) and Hai Pham (hpham@usasean.org) to help improve your business.  This will also help as we look toward more engagements with the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 2017.

View the Council's latest Food & Agriculture updates

Health & Life Sciences                            

Major Developments

On January 11-12, the Council led a delegation of 10 companies from the Health & Life Sciences committee to Hanoi to engage officials from the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in the health sector, including local hospitals.  During the mission, the delegation and Ministry of Health held its second Joint Working Group Meeting as part of the MOU with the Ministry of Health, and met with the APEC 2017 Secretariat.  Notes and follow-up from the mission will be sent out to the Council HLS committee. Please contact Hai Pham at hpham@usasean.org with any questions.

View the Council's latest Health & Life Sciences updates

ICT

Major Developments

• On December 16, Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly unanimously approved amendments to the 2007 Computer Crimes Act.  The amendments give the government more power to control online content determined to be threatening to national security or morals.  For more information, view the recent Thailand Update here.
• Also on December 16, the new position for Minister of Digital Economy and Society  was filled by H.E. Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, who previously served as the Minister of Science and Technology.  The appointment of an experienced and widely-respected Minister to oversee the newly-created Ministry indicates the level of importance placed on digital economy development in Thailand.  H.E. Dr. Uttama Savanayana, who previously headed the now-disbanded Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, was appointed as Minister of Industry.

Advocacy

• On January 13, the Council held a launch event in Hanoi for its report Advancing the ASEAN Economic Community: The Digital Economy and the Free Flow of Data.  The event featured remarks from Susan Suttan, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Hanoi, and a panel discussion with U.S. and Vietnamese private sector representatives.  For more information, view the press release here.  The Council also hosted a launch event in Kuala Lumpur on January 18.
• Also on January 13, a Council delegation met with officials from Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Defense’s Government Committee on Cipher (GCC). The delegation, which included representatives from the local Vietnamese ICT industry, discussed the implementation of MIC Decree 108 and GCC Decree 58 under the Law on Network Information Security.

Looking Ahead

On January 24/25, the ICT Committee held its first Quarterly Call of 2017. We are seeking additional feedback on the draft 2017 Work Plan—please email Matt Solomon at msolomon@usasean.org with your comments. An updated Work Plan will be circulated soon.

View the Council's latest ICT updates

Country Highlights

Brunei

Major Developments

• The new Secretary-General of ASEAN in 2018 is set to be chosen by Brunei Darussalam, an appointment that will affirm Brunei’s increasing role within ASEAN.  Brunei has been actively pursuing potential business sectors to diversify its oil-and-gas-focused economy.  In line with Brunei’s Vision 2035, there are many areas of cooperation and common goals that Brunei can offer to potential investors.
• In December, the Monetary Authority of Brunei (Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam – AMBD) is reported to have prepared the initial draft of rules for the planned launch of the Brunei Darussalam Stock Exchange.  The plan came with an effort to diversify Brunei’s economy away from oil and to catch up to more mature capital markets in Southeast Asia.  The launch is expected to boost Brunei’s presence at a regional level, allowing it to be a part of the ASEAN exchanges and towards ASEAN integration, though similar launch efforts have been delayed in the past.  The Brunei Darussalam Stock Exchange will have a core objective of serving the needs of Brunei’s Muslim investors, focusing on sharia-compliant securities, equities and Islamic bonds (sukuk).  Previously in April 2016, Brunei announced several sukuk offerings to expand the scope of its financial sector.  Brunei has issued at least 130 sukuk with a combined $9.71billion in short-term offerings since 2006.  Historically, the financial industry has played a rather small role in the oil-dominated economy of Brunei.  With the goal of diversification, the government of Brunei intends to further develop potential sectors such as tourism, halal products industry and manufacturing.

View the Council's latest Brunei updates

Cambodia

Major Developments

On January 10, Cambodia opened a new border checkpoint with Laos, a move that is expected to strengthen commercial relations between the two countries. The opening of the Trapeang Kriel-Nong Nokkhiane crossing, in the southern Champassak Province, was attended by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.   

Looking Ahead

The Council’s 2017 Business Mission to Cambodia will take place in Phnom Penh from February 21-22. To register, please click here. Please contact Jack Myint at jmyint@usasean.org with any questions.

View the Council's latest Cambodia updates

Indonesia

Major Developments

• The House of Representatives plans to pass 49 bills that are included in the 2017 National Legislative Program.  By December 2016, the House had passed a total of 22 new laws, 20 of which have been approved by President Joko Widodo. By December 2016, the House has passed a total of 22 new laws, 20 of which have been approved by President Joko Widodo including laws on tax amnesty, state budget, patent, trademark and geographical indication.
• On January 10, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivered her annual press statement setting out the country’s aspirations for the ongoing year.  Minister Marsudi stresses on strengthening contributions to ASEAN and reinforcing ASEAN unity and centrality.  In addition, she spoke of Indonesia’s commitment to being a part of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, starting with the signing of the IORA Concord to transform IORA into a regional organization that is responsive to new challenges.  Another key focus is on the acceleration of ongoing economic partnership negotiations while exploring other potential forms of economic cooperation to expand Indonesia’s presence on trade and investment.
• In December 2016, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that 18 non-tariff barriers maintained by the Government of Indonesia (GOI) are in violation of global trade rules.  Indonesia stated that such measures are in place to boost domestic economy and in some cases, needed, to safeguard its halal method of preparation and distribution to cater to a Muslim-majority populace, therefore qualifying Indonesia for an exception under GATT.  The panel, however, stated that the measures at issue were not designed to accomplish such purpose, and that Indonesia’s actions were illegal.  GOI also argued that the barriers were effected under former President Yudhoyono’s administration, while deregulation across sectors have since been carried out by the Jokowi administration.  Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita has stated that Indonesia will file an appeal against the ruling.
• Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan announced Government Regulation No. 1 of 2017 on mineral and coal mining businesses (available in Bahasa Indonesia) on January 12. This is the fourth revision to Government Regulation No. 23 of 2010 on the same subject (available in Bahasa Indonesia). Regulation 1 temporarily exempts companies from Regulation 23’s export limits, if they meet these criteria: (i) miners with Contracts of Work must convert their permits to a Special Mining License (IUPK), (ii) IUPK holders are obliged to build smelters within a period of five years and (iii) within a period of 10 years, foreign miners must divest up to 51 percent of their shares to Indonesian participants, an umbrella term under Indonesian mining laws to reflect domestic ownership which includes the government or the private sector. The 2009 Mining Law included a ban on the export of mineral ore and concentrates and required miners to build smelters to process ore locally and to complete their smelters by 2014. The deadline was then extended to January 12, 2017.

Advocacy

On January 30, the Council will host a welcome reception for the new U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, the Honorable Joseph R. Donovan Jr. Please contact Shaveen Sharma at ssharma@usasean.org and Artha Sirait at asirait@usasean.org with any questions.

Looking Ahead

The Indonesia Committee will hold its first quarterly call on February 6. Ambassador Budi Bowoleksono will participate as a guest speaker, conveying Indonesia’s 2017 priorities that would be of importance to members.  

View the Council's latest Indonesia updates

Laos

Major Developments

Moving to strengthen its commercial relationship with its neighbors, Laos opened a new border checkpoint with Cambodia on January 10.  The opening of the Trapeang Kriel-Nong Nokkhiane crossing, in the southern Champassak Province, was attended by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.  Additionally, after a year’s delay, work is set to commence on a 417-kilometer railway linking Vientiane with the Chinese border.  It is estimated that the railway, being constructed by a consortium of Chinese contractors, will be complete by 2021.

View the Council's latest Laos updates

Malaysia

Major Developments

• On December 10, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Kamala Shirin Ladhkhir as the next U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia.  Ambassador-Designate Ladhkhir previously served as Executive Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in the Department of State, since 2011.  She has also served for the U.S. Embassies in Jakarta, Riyadh, Beijing and Belfast, and as the Director of the Office of Maritime Southeast Asia in the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (2007-2009).
• Tan Sri Dr Zulhasnan Rafique has arrived in Washington as the new Malaysian Ambassador to the U.S.  He presented his credentials on January 9 after being appointed by Prime Minister Najib Razak in late December.  Ambassador Zulhasnan previously served as Minister of Federal Territories (2006-2009) and Deputy Minister of Federal Territories (2004-2006).  He was also a member of Parliament from 1999 to 2004 for Wangsa Maju and from 2004 to 2013 for Setiawangsa.  Most recently Ambassador Zulhasnan was Chancellor of Geomatika University College, Malaysia.

Advocacy

On December 15, the Council held a dialogue with Deputy Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong, Secretary General Datuk Jayasiri and Deputy Secretary General Datuk Isham Ishak from the Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI).  Representatives from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and SME Corp also attended.  During the dialogue, MITI officials expressed their continued support for the TPP, even with a possible U.S. departure, as well as for RCEP.  Datuk Chua has suggested that the Council continue to arrange regular dialogues between members and MITI.

Looking Ahead

The Council will soon hold welcome events for Ambassador-Designate Ladhkhir in both Washington, D.C. (scheduled for February 9) and Kuala Lumpur and a welcome event for Ambassador Zulhasnan in D.C.  Save the dates will be sent out as soon as dates are confirmed.  Please contact Kim Yaegar at kyaegar@usasean.org

Please click here for the latest Malaysia updates

Myanmar

Major developments

• On January 11 U Thaung Tun was appointed as National Security Advisor, a newly-created position with the rank equivalent to Union Minister. U Thaung Tun previously served as Myanmar’s Ambassador to the Philippines, and concurrently to Belgium, the Netherlands, and the EU. He retired from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2010. It is currently unclear what role the National Security Advisor will play vis-à-vis Myanmar’s still-powerful military. An official statement from the President’s Office tasks the position with "strategically evaluating and advising the union government on security matters, both foreign and domestic".
• Myanmar’s Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) issued the official English translation of the 2016 Myanmar Investment Law, available here. See our analysis of the Law here.

Advocacy

In response to the Myanmar Investment Commission’s request for submissions, on December 16, the Council submitted U.S. industry feedback on the implementing rules and regulations under the 2016 Myanmar Investment Law (MIL).  The Rules, meant to clarify the requirements, rights, and obligations under the MIL, will be a critical component of the framework governing foreign investment going forward. On January 13 the Myanmar Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) published the draft Investment rules. The Council will be submitting further feedback based on the draft to DICA. In order to have your comments included, please send to anelson@usasean.org by January 27.

View the Council's latest Myanmar updates

Philippines

Major Developments

• On December 12-13, the Philippines Committee held a planning call to discuss the 2017 work plan for the Committee.
• On December 22, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the national budget for 2017.  At P3.35 trillion (US$67.4 billion), it is the highest budget yet to be proposed by any administration.  Secretary of Budget and Management Benjamin Diokno described it as “pro-people, pro-investment, pro-growth, and pro-development.”  The Department of Education received the highest allocation out of other executive departments, while the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation saw significant increases in their budgets.  The Council will be releasing an analytical update on the 2017 budget in the coming days.

Advocacy

On January 24, the Council held a welcome reception for the Honorable Sung Kim, the new U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, in Manila.  Ambassador Kim was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 28, 2016, and officially took up his post on December 6.

View the Council's latest Philippines updates

Singapore

Major Developments

On December 14, the Singapore Committee held a planning call to discuss the 2017 Work Plan for the Committee.  The call featured a briefing by Ms. Margaret Hanson-Muse, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs for ASEAN at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, and Mr. Ryan Hollowell, Regional Commercial Officer and Digital Attaché for ASEAN at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore.  The briefing covered the U.S. Government’s Digital Attaché Program and how it is working with Singapore's Smart Nation initiative.

Advocacy

After soliciting input from member companies, the Singapore Team submitted recommendations on priorities for Singapore’s Budget 2017 to the country’s Ministry of Finance.  The recommendations emphasize a focus on investing in longer term support for technology and business innovation, skills development and industry transformation to establish positive conditions for long term competitiveness in Singapore’s economy.  They were submitted as part of the public consultation period for Budget 2017.

View the Council's latest Singapore updates

Thailand

Major Developments

• His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who ascended to the throne on December 1 (more details here), has proposed amendments to Thailand’s draft constitution regarding the appointment of Regent and related matters.  Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the changes would be made, and that a legal committee would be convened for this purpose.  It is unclear whether this will affect the timing of planned elections, which are expected to take place in late 2017 or early 2018.
• On December 16, it was announced that Prime Minister Prayut reshuffled his cabinet for the fourth time since 2014, filling out key roles in its economic portfolio.  In addition to rotating current Ministers into new roles, several new faces have moved into key deputy positions.  Highlights include the new Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, which will be led by H.E. Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, who previously served as the Minister of Science and Technology; H.E. Dr. Uttama Savanayana, who previously headed the now-disbanded Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, was appointed as Minister of Industry, replacing H.E. Atchaka Sibunruang, who was appointed as the new Minister of Science and Technology.  For more information, see our recent Update here.
• On December 16 Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly unanimously approved amendments to the 2007 Computer Crimes Act.  The amendments provide more clarity in monitoring online content determined as threatening to national security.  For more information, view the recent Thailand Update here.

Advocacy

On February 15, the Thailand Board of Investment will host “Opportunity Thailand,” a day-long investment seminar in Bangkok.  Click here for details and registration information.

View the Council's latest Thailand updates

Vietnam

Major Developments

In early January, the Government of Vietnam (GOV) issued a directive regarding reforms for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), following the progress on equitization of SOEs announced by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during the Vietnam National Assembly’s second session in November 2016.  Per the latest directive, the GOV would retain full ownership of SOEs operating across 11 sectors – military mapping and measurement, industrial explosive material production and trading, management of the national power grid, nuclear power, management of the national railway and urban railway infrastructure, aviation control, search and rescue services, lottery and money printing.  Additionally, SOE reforms include publicizing names of equitized companies with specific rates of state ownership and other information disclosure by SOEs.

Advocacy

On January 11-12, the Council led a delegation of 10 companies from the Health & Life Sciences committee to Hanoi to engage officials from the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in the health sector, including local hospitals.

Looking Ahead

On March 6-9, the Council will lead a delegation to Vietnam to engage officials from the Government of Vietnam as part of its annual Vietnam Business Mission.  To register for the mission, please click here.  For more information, please contact Hai Pham at hpham@usasean.org

View the Council's latest Vietnam updates