Ho Chi Minh City, 30th June 2023
Dear GBA members,
With the summer break just around the corner, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the second quarter of 2023 before the holiday season begins. During this time, we have witnessed several changes within the GBA organization, and we would like to share the current status with all of you. The GBA has also been actively engaged in advocacy activities. All of our efforts align with the priorities we set for 2023:
- Transforming for Excellence
- Substance Driven Business Content
- Promotion of GBA Topics
Let us now provide you with an update on the recent developments:
(1) Mr. Ingo Brandenburg – Officially Joining the GBA Board from June 2023
As mentioned in our previous Co-Chairmen Letter, we are pleased to announce that Mr. Ingo Brandenburg, Managing Director cum Country Head of Pharmaceuticals Division at Bayer Vietnam, has officially assumed his role as a full GBA Board member since June 1st, 2023. This appointment is in accordance with the GBA statutes article 9.6 and article 9.12 here>>>. Mr. Brandenburg will be replacing Mr. Lukas Schoeneck, who has just left Vietnam for his new role in thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions Beckum. With Mr. Brandenburg’s support, the board will continue to have the necessary capabilities to execute ongoing and future projects.
We also would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Lukas Schoeneck, who has served on the GBA Board for the past 2.5 years. During his tenure, Mr. Schoeneck has shown great commitment and made significant contributions to the German business community in Vietnam. We particularly commend his pivotal role in organizing the GBA Business Challenges 2021 & 2022, which have provided support to young entrepreneurs in transforming their viable and creative business plans into successful start-ups through monetary awards and exclusive coaching programs.
(2) GBA Outlook for Q3 (Office Expansion and Executive Director)
As approved during the Annual General Meeting in January, we are now actively working towards professionalizing the GBA office team. In Quarter 3, we will be moving into our new office space on level 4 of the Deutsche Haus, adjacent to our current office. Additionally, we are in the process of recruiting an Executive Director and will share further details with you soon.
(3) German delegation visits Central and Northern Vietnam
In line with our new advocacy focus to promote GBA-specific topics and expand our activities beyond Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, a delegation consisting of Mr. Elmar Dutt, Mr. Marko Walde, and Mr. Andrej De Jong recently visited Central Vietnam (Quang Nam Province and Da Nang City) (refer here>>> to the article) and Northern Vietnam (Hai Phong and Thai Binh Province) (refer here>>> to the article). During these visits, we engaged in fruitful discussions with local authorities on improving the business environment for FDI projects.
Furthermore, the GBA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Investment Promotion Agency Da Nang (refer here>>> to the article) to further promote investment initiatives. We will continue to keep you updated on developments in the Northern region.
(4) Addressing power cut issues in Northern Vietnam in collaboration with EuroCham
Many of our members in Northern Vietnam are currently facing significant disruptions due to power cuts, especially affecting their production activities. We have been closely collaborating with EuroCham to address these issues through various advocacy channels. Our EuroCham Delegate, Mr. Alexander Ziehe, has been incorporating our members’ input into the EuroCham position papers that are being submitted to regulators for both short-term and long-term improvements. We are actively monitoring the situation and working towards finding solutions.
As we move forward into the second half of the year, the GBA remains highly committed to serving our members. We are excited to kick off this period with our upcoming Monthly Business Meeting on July 3rd here>>>
(5) Vietnam approves extending e-visas to 90 days
On June 24, Vietnam’s National Assembly approved a major overhaul of the country’s tourist visa system. From August 15, e-visa holders will have the freedom to enter and exit the country an unlimited number of times within a span of 90 days. This is up from the previous 30-day limit. Additionally, citizens of visa-exempt countries can now stay in Vietnam for 45 days, up from 15 days previously (refer here>>> to the article). After ardently advocating for these changes for over years, EuroCham and its Tourism and Hospitality Sector Committee, together with GBA and VBF are beyond excited to finally witness this development coming to fruition!
(6) The Launch of “WeCare”
To ensure our member concerns are well looked after and your voice are heard, we are delighted to introduce a central e-mail: wecare@gba-vietnam.org which reaches the GBA Office for all Caretaking where GBA Members can address any challenges, problems your company or you face to and request support from GBA and/or their caretaker from the GBA Board.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely yours,
Elmar Dutt & Torben Minko
Co-Chairmen of the Board
German Business Association