ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

Thứ Tư, 28 tháng 6, 2017

Foreign investment surges by over half in Jan-Jun

Total fresh foreign investment approvals in the country in the year’s first half have soared 54.8% to over US$19.2 billion, with Japan emerging as the biggest foreign investor, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Updated data from the ministry shows 1,183 foreign direct investment projects worth US$11.83 billion had got investment certificates in the year to June 20, rising 57.9% year-on-year. Active foreign investors had pumped US$5.14 billion into 549 projects, up 35.8% against the year-earlier period.
Meanwhile, foreign investors had also spent US$2.24 billion buying shares of domestic firms on the stock market, almost double the same period last year.
As such, the total foreign investment approvals, including fresh direct investments, additional funds injected into operational projects, and portfolio investments in the first half have amounted to US$19.22 billion.
FDI projects so far this year have disbursed US$7.72 billion, up 6.5% against the same period last year.
Japan takes first position
Capital committed by Japanese investors has amounted to US$5.08 billion, accounting for 26.45% of the total US$19.22 billion in the first half. This is the first time in as many years Japan has become the biggest foreign investor in Vietnam, having trailed behind South Korea as the latter boasted big-ticket projects by Samsung and LG in previous years.
The uptrend in Japanese investment in Vietnam is poised to continue following the successful Japan visit early this month by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. During the visit, enterprises of the two countries struck many deals worth US$22 billion, which will be implemented in the coming time.
At an investment conference in Japan on June 5, PM Phuc and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe pledged to continue policies to support Japanese investors in Vietnam.
Japanese investors are also having a positive view on the business environment in Vietnam. Hiroyuki Ishige, chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), has recently announced results of a survey of Japanese enterprises operating overseas in the fiscal year ending March 31.
According to the JETRO survey, Vietnam is seen as the third most important market for Japanese exporters behind China and the United States. This ranking is quite significant given the different sizes of the three economies.
However, the number of Japanese enterprises wanting to expand business in Vietnam has increased for the second consecutive year, from 32.4% in the previous survey to 34.1% in the latest survey. In this respect, Vietnam also ranks third among the most favorable destinations for Japanese investors

Source: The Saigon Times

Chủ Nhật, 25 tháng 6, 2017

Japan assists Vietnam in managing construction projects


The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Vietnam’s Construction Ministry co-organized a training workshop on management of construction projects in HCMC on June 22 as part of a technical assistance program by Japan to help Vietnam improve construction quality and better control costs.


The training workshop within the project titled “Capacity Enhancement in Cost Estimation, Contract Management, Quality and Safety in Construction Investment Projects in Vietnam” is intended to review the outcomes of construction projects and discuss focal points relating to Vietnam’s law and regulations on construction. Attending the seminar were representatives from relevant agencies in both central and provincial levels, project management units, as well as contractors and consultants.
The JICA-funded project, set up by Vietnamese and Japanese experts, is aimed to enhance the capacity of staff and related organizations under the Construction Ministry directly involved in construction projects.
The ultimate goal is that local construction projects are run in line with international standards and regulations on managing public construction projects.
The workshop focused on contractor capacity evaluation and contract management. These main outputs are expected to help improve the monitoring of State-funded projects and their effectiveness as a result.
Vietnam has carried out a large number of major infrastructure projects in recent years. However, many construction accidents have been recorded, due to insufficient project management, and poor quality and safety management of construction works.
Besides, construction contracts have been insufficiently managed, leading to disputes which have obstructed the smooth execution of projects.
Therefore, the Vietnamese Government had requested JICA to provide assistance via the project in a bid to address the issue. The project kicked off in April 2015, and is scheduled to run until next March.

Source: The Saigon Times

Thứ Năm, 22 tháng 6, 2017

VND300 trillion needed for infrastructure projects in HCMC


HCMC – The HCMC government will need around VND300 trillion (US$13.2 billion) for its urban infrastructure projects by 2020 but its budget can meet half the amount at best, heard a meeting on June 13.

The city will be able to arrange a mere VND164 trillion for these projects by 2020, said Le Thi Huynh Mai, deputy director of the HCMC Department of Planning and Investment.
City vice chairman Tran Vinh Tuyen said the city’s population had grown to a whopping 13 million, including migrants from other parts of the country, so the city had come under huge pressure to carry out new infrastructure projects, especially in the inner-city districts which account for 12 million residents.
The city is in dire need of new hospitals and schools while the city is working hard to pay for about 199,000 State employees.
The central Government has asked the city to reorganize its administrative agencies and make some of them financially independent to ease the burden for the State budget, he added.
According to a Department of Planning and Investment plan presented on June 13, the city will opt for public-private partnership (PPP) as a key investment format for future infrastructure projects, including 54 projects previously allowed to use State capital, totaling more than VND18.4 trillion.
The city will push for 105 PPP projects worth a total of VND334.6 trillion and encourage the private sector to participate in 98 others capitalized at about VND128.8 trillion, according to the department.
The department said the city will introduce an attractive mechanism for luring private capital into vital projects, especially for social housing, resettlement and infrastructure.



Thứ Tư, 21 tháng 6, 2017

CAAV insists on granting air transport license for Bamboo Airways

Viet Bamboo Airlines Co Ltd (Bamboo Airways) has yet to produce a financial confirmation statement as required by the current civil aviation rules, but the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has proposed the Ministry of Transport ask the Prime Minister for issuing a business license for it.

In a document sent to CAAV on June 12, Bamboo Airways, a unit of property developer FLC Group, has promised to submit a confirmation statement on its chartered capital once the scheme for the establishment of Bamboo Airways is appraised by authorities.


CAAV said the company’s documents for a business license basically meet business conditions in the aviation sector under Decree 92/2016, although it has shown no financial confirmation statement as needed.

Under the prevailing regulations, civil aviation investors must submit a capital confirmation statement issued by a bank. Otherwise, they must send a relevant document from a price appraisal agency approved by the Finance Ministry to confirm the balance of an escrow account is equivalent to their chartered capital.

In case of Bamboo Airways, its total chartered capital must be at least VND700 billion (US$30.8 million). In fact, FLC Group set up the company with the same chartered capital last month, which is required for the carrier to be licensed with a fleet of 10 planes to operate domestic and international flights.

CAAV’s deputy head Vo Huy Cuong said projects in the air transport sector must be approved in principle by the Prime Minister, according to Article 31 of the 2014 Investment Law. Therefore, if capital is paid in sufficiently, or the balance of an escrow account meets the minimum capital requirement, a long time of consideration will make life difficult for investors.

Thus, CAAV has proposed that the Transport Ministry petition the Prime Minister to approve the appraisal procedures for issuing a business license for Bamboo Airways.

The Government declined approving an application for establishment of Vietstar Airlines last year, as its investor had yet to meet the chartered capital requirement. Its paid-in capital at the time was over VND70 billion short of the required VND700 billion.

A civil aviation firm must have chartered capital of at least VND700 billion to establish an airline with 10 planes. However, at the time of application, Vietstar had only VND625.7 billion.

Source: The Saigon Times

Benefits of Investors in Setting up a Business in Da Nang

Da Nang is one of the five major cities in Vietnam, having a geographical location that is particularly conducive to rapid and sustainable economic development. Da Nang has important transportation routes such as the China-ASEAN international railway crossings, seaports and international airports.
Da Nang is one of the tourist centers of the country, has rich tourism potential including natural tourism resources and humanities. Da Nang has many famous scenic spots such as Hai Van pass, Son Tra mountain, Ba Na hills, Ngu Hanh Son, Cham Museum or My Khe beach have been voted by Forbes magazine as one of the six most beautiful beaches in the world. These conditions are favorable for the development of diversified forms of tourism such as travel, research, cultural.

Da Nang have infrastructure development, four types of roads are popular: high way, rail way, International airport and International sea way. Da Nang have the sea lanes to most major ports in Vietnam and around the world. It helps investor more convenient to travel everywhere in Vietnam and other countries. Moreover, Da Nang’s water supply, electricity supply and communication system has developed rapidly and is increasingly modernized, ranking third in the whole country after Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang have Da Nang Port, which help investor in import/export activities easily.
The first advantage of the policy mechanism is that Da Nang has also had great support the mechanism and policies for socio-economic development of Da Nang. Since Da Nang was recognized as a national grade I city in 2003, Da Nang has implemented guidelines, regulatory directions and the issuance of specific regulatory mechanisms. With the support from the Central Government, Da Nang authorities have also developed appropriate policies and mechanisms to facilitate the development of the economy, such as the one-stop-shopping mechanism, so Da Nang which is considered as a locality with attracting investment policies in Vietnam. Examples: Procedures related to investment, investment locations, clearance and handover plan, the granting of business registration certificates and investment preference certificates shall be carried out under the one-stop-shopping mechanism at the provincial municipal all of them are resolved at Da Nang Administration Center. Investors shall be exempt from all expenses related to the settlement of investment procedures apart from the payment of business registration fees according to the provisions of law. When investing in Da Nang, investors not only enjoy many preferential policy from city government but also have chance to find clients from many countries or compete with other companies in Vietnam and foreign countries.
Tradition of unity, consensus of people and the dynamism and creativity of the leadership, these advantages has aroused, mobilized the strength, the most important and decisive resource for the development of Da Nang. The determination of leaders, city authorities in building programs, projects with the support of the people, investors, enterprises, ect that help investors who will invest in Da Nang have highest benefits.


Thứ Hai, 19 tháng 6, 2017

Australia Initiated the Anti-dumping Investigation Against Rod in Coil Originating from Vietnam

On June 7th, 2017, the Anti-Dumping Commission of Australia (ADC) initiated the anti-dumping investigation against rod in coil originating from Indonesia, Korea and Vietnam.
At present, rod in coil is not applied tax when being exported from Vietnam into Australia.

Investigated product includes HS code: 7213.91.00.44, 7227.90.90.02 and 7227.90.90.42
The company that filed claim for investigation: OneSteels Company.
Period of investigation: 1/4/2016 to 31/3/2017.
Period of damage investigation:1/1/2013 up to present.
Dumping margin of product as allegation of plaintiff is 30,6% for Vietnam, 30,6% for Indonesia and 43,3 % for Korea
However, as preliminary calculation of ADC, expected dumping margin should be: 20,9% for Vietnam, 29,8% for Indonesia and 20,9 % for Korea
The filing party alleges that Vietnam belongs to particular market situation because of the level tax of two primary input material types, accordingly, the normal price shall be calculated by using the selling price in Vietnam but using the cost of a similar producer. The ADC may apply temporary anti-dumping measures but not earlier than 60 days since the date of initiation.
As expected, ADC shall issue Essential Facts on Sep 25th, 2017 and concerned parties shall have 20 days to comment.
The concerned parties could send the comment through their anti-dumping lawyers or law firm in Vietnam and Australia whom is familiar with the process and procedures in Australia.
In the past, Australia implemented anti-dumping investigation against this product originating from Indonesia, Taiwan and Turkey. Accordingly, Indonesia and Turkey were applied tax in 2015 but after the on review in 2016, tax has been lifted for product from Indonesia (due to causing no damage for Australian manufacturing industry).


Thứ Tư, 14 tháng 6, 2017

Conditions for Business in Accounting Services of an Enterprise

Legal Based:
  • Law on Accounting 2015;
  • Circular 297/2016/TT-BTC on granting, management and usage of certificates of eligible for providing accounting services.
1. Form of business
a. An accounting firm may be established in the form as follows:
  • A multi-member limited liability company;
  • A partnership;
  • A private enterprise.
The accounting firm must not contribute capital to establishment of another accounting firm, except for contribution of capital together with a foreign accounting firm to establishment of an accounting firm in Vietnam.

b. A foreign accounting firm is allowed to provide accounting services in Vietnam as follow manners:
  • Contributing capital together with an existing accounting firm in Vietnam to establish an accounting firm;
  • Establishing branches of the foreign accounting firm;
  • Provide accounting services across the border as prescribed by the Goverment.
2. Conditions for granting Certificate of eligibility to provide accounting services
a. For a multi-member limited liability company
  • Having an Enterprise Registration Certificate, Investment Registration Certificate or an equivalent document as prescribed by law;
  • Having at least two capital contributors (members) are accounting practitioners;
  • The legal representative, director or general director of the company is an accounting practitioner;
  • Ensuring the proportion of capital contribution by accounting practitioners over 50%; Ensuring the maximum proportion of captital contribution of organization members equal to 35% of charter of an accounting firm.
b. For a partnership
  • Having an Enterprise Registration Certificate, Investment Registration Certificate or an equivalent document as prescribed by law;
  • Having at least two general partners are accounting practitioners;
  • The legal representative, Director or General Director of the partnership is an accounting practitioner.
c. For a private enterprise
  • Having an Enterprise Registration Certificate, Investment Registration Certificate or an equivalent document as prescribed by law;
  • Having at least two accounting practitioners in the enterprise;
  • The owner of the private company, who holds the position of Director, is an accounting practitioner.
d. A branch in Vietnam of a foreign accounting firm
  • The foreign accounting firm is permitted to provide accounting services according to regulations of law of its home country;
  • Having at least two accounting practitioners, including the Director or General Director of the branch;
  • The Director or General Director of the branch does not concurrently hold the position of manager or executive officer of another enterprise in Vietnam;
  • The foreign accounting firm has submitted a document to the Ministry of Finance that it is responsible for every obligations and commitments of the branch in Vietnam.
3. Granting Certificate of eligibility for business in accounting services
a. Preparation of Dossier
  • An application form for the Certificate of eligibility to provide accounting services;
  • Copies of the Certificate of Enterprise Registration, Investment Registration Certificate, or an equivalent document;
  • Copies of Certificates of Accounting Practice Registration of accounting practitioners;
  • Employment contracts between the accounting firm and accounting practitioners;
  • Documents proving capital contribution (for limited liability companies);
  • The company’s charter (for partnerships and limited liability companies);
  • A written commitment to take responsibility by the foreign firm; documents proving the foreign firm is permitted to provide accounting services (for branches in Vietnam of foreign accounting firms).
b. Order and procedure
  • Enterprises submit dossier to Ministry of Finance;
  • Within 15 days form the day of receiving valid dossier. Ministry of Finance shall issue the Certificate of eligibility to provide accounting services to enterprises;
  • In case need to clarify the matters related to the dossier. Ministry of Finance shall request enterprises to explain and then granting Certificate to enterprise within 15 days form the day of receiving the valid additional document.


Chủ Nhật, 11 tháng 6, 2017

North-south expy incentives meant to lure foreign investors


HANOI – The Ministry of Finance has approved strong financial incentives proposed by the Transport Ministry for the North-South Expressway project in a move to attract capable investors, especially those from abroad. Such incentives are aimed to minimize risks for investors wanting to get involved in this big-ticket project.

The Government has offered multiple financial incentives in preparation for inviting tenders for 20 component projects, with 17 of them under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) investment format, in the first phase of the project.

In particular, the Transport Ministry is allowed to raise toll fees in the project’s feasibility study and contract. Especially, fee adjustments can be more flexible and will not have to follow the Finance Ministry’s prevailing regulations.


Inflation of around 4% a year can be factored into toll fees. Besides, the return on equity is allowed at 14% a year, or 2-3 percentage points higher than those applied to other BOT projects.

The disbursement of investors’ capital and bank loans will follow the rates specified in their contracts in line with the progress of their projects. In other words, investors will not have to contribute their capital once upon issuance of investment certificates as regulated for other projects.

These financial mechanisms are mainly designed to attract international investors, as previous regulations have kept potential investors at arm’s length due to high risks of slow capital recovery.

The suggested return on equity ratio is about 2.15 times higher than deposit rates at commercial banks, also with the aim of luring foreign investments.

As covered in the Daily on Tuesday, the Ministry of Transport has proposed a slew of policy incentives for the North-South Expressway project.

These include the State Bank of Vietnam’s commitment to allow investors to access bank loans, while the transport ministry can apply various types of investment formats and contracts in the project that is divided into multiple components.

The ministry also asked for the Government’s permission to appoint consultants responsible for drawing up the project’s feasibility study and technical design, as well as consultants offering appraisal services for the project in phase one.

The project with four to six traffic lanes and allowing for speeds of 80-100 kilometers per hour will require an estimated VND312.4 trillion (US$13.7 billion).

The main section from Hanoi City to HCMC has 1,622 kilometers in length, of which 123 kilometers has been opened to traffic, including the Phap Van-Cau Gie, Cau Gie-Ninh Binh, and HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay sections. Besides, work on the 127-kilometer Danang-Quang Ngai section is underway.

In phase one, work on some 713 kilometers is divided into 11 sub-projects, with eight public-private partnership (PPP) and BOT ones, and three others under the public investment format in 2017-2020. Besides, around 659 kilometers is developed under nine BOT sub-projects from 2011 to 2025.

The second phase from 2025 onwards is intended to extend the North-South Expressway in accordance with the project’s approved master plan.


Source: The Saigon Times

Thứ Năm, 8 tháng 6, 2017

Vietnam M&A market hits US$1.8 billion in Jan-May


 Capital contributions and share purchases by foreign investors via mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals amounted to around US$1.8 billion in the first five months of the year, up a whopping 116.2% compared to the same period last year.
Foreign investors engaged in 2,061 M&A transactions in the period, according to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Foreign investors via M&A deals have now entered various sectors, including production and services.

For example, Thailand’s Siam Cement Group acquired the entire stake worth US$156 million in a cement manufacturer, Vietnam Construction Materials JSC, in the central province of Quang Binh, while South Korean food firm CJ CheilJedang Corporation raised its controlling stake to 71.6% in the former Cau Tre Export Processing JSC late last year.
In regard to the real estate sector, Singapore’s Keppel Land Limited through its subsidiary Krystal Investments Pte Ltd clinched a deal with the Southern Waterborne Transport Corporation (Sowatco) to acquire an additional 16% stake worth VND845.9 billion in the Saigon Centre property in downtown HCMC.
M&A deals in the real estate market could hit a record high this year as many investors are sounding out opportunities to pour billions of dollars in budget and mid-end apartments, offices, hotels and industrial parks, according to property services provider Jones Lang LaSalle Vietnam.
The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) says many investors consider M&A deals as the most effective way to penetrate the Vietnamese market and expand their business as well. This investment trend is expected to continue next year.
The growth of M&A deals is thanks to the 2014 Investment Law that clarifies some previously ambiguous regulations, according to analysts.
Specifically, foreign investors have no need to go through investment procedures if they choose investment capital contributions and share purchases.
Notably, Decree No. 60/2015/ND-CP allows investors to increase their ownership at many listed and public companies from 49% to 100%, except for those active in conditional business sectors.
Besides, they have seen more opportunities emerging, especially the Government’s effort to equitize State-owned enterprises to divest State stakes from non-core business operations.


Source The Saigon Times