Area: 329,314.5 square kilometers Population: 83.12 millions (2005)

62% workforce44% under 20 yrs50.8 % women

GDP growth rate: 8.43% GDP/capita: US$ 640(2005) Export: US$ billion 32.442 (2005) Import: US$ billion 36.978 (2005) Estimated in 2007 : 300,000 SMEs, of which 30% are female-owned

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Viet Nam in brief

APEC PERU 2008WOMEN IN EXPORT

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APEC PERU 2008WOMEN IN EXPORT

                    Millions USD

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

ASEAN 996,9 1652.8 1913.5 1945.0 2516.3 2619.0 2553.6 2434.9 2953,3 4056.1 5743.5

APEC 3998,2 5262.2 6322.6 6129.1 7486.2 10097.6 10084.0 11966.9 14832,0 19502.3 24169.7

EU 664,2 848.5 1607.8 2079.0 2515.3 2845.1 3002.9 3162,5 3852.6 4968.4 5517.0

OPEC 131.7 212.4 199.3 554.8 713.4 643.2 757.7 861,5 759.3 813.5 877.5

Total 5448.9 7255.9 9185 9360.3 11541.4 14482.7 15029.2 16706,1 20149.3 26485.0 32447.1

VIETNAM : Exportations by regions (1995-2006)

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 20060.0

5000.0

10000.0

15000.0

20000.0

25000.0

30000.0

35000.0

ASEAN

APEC

EU

OPEC

Total

Millions USD

APEC PERU 2008WOMEN IN EXPORT

Architectural Design & Construction – Interior Décor – Trading & Tourist services

Boutique hotel by the beach

A clean house brings FreshnessA nice kitchen gives Delicious Food

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• 15 years of experience in architectural design and construction

• Sales agent of kitchen accessories and Gago wooden floor

• 200 employees for construction works

• Own workshop for tailored-made wooden furniture

Architectural Design & Construction Interior Décor – Trading & Tourist services

Specialized in architectural design Construction of residences and industrial buildingsTailored-made kitchens designed on demandTrading of accessories for kitchens, bathrooms, and

padlocks Boutique hotel by the beach in Vung Tau, Vietnam,

42 rooms, estimated opening in December 2008.

Exportations in view : party baskets, buddha head sculptures, polyrattan garden furniture .

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APEC PERU 2008WOMEN IN EXPORT

APEC PERU 2008WOMEN IN EXPORT

CHALLENGES

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1. FINANCE Limited access to credit. Bank loans are difficult to obtain, banker’s evaluation of the collateral is often less than its market value, and takes time. When capital is needed, it is simpler to ask for a loan from the informal source of credit, but higher interest. Lengthy administrative procedures for commissioning and significant delay in payment.

2. HUMAN RESOURCES Lack of skilled labor, high training cost. Business competitiveness demands professionalism, more training and retraining of staff. Selection and retention of skillful employees to be considered seriously.

3. MARKET INFORMATION Need of accurate and timely information, through government agencies, ie. Trade Promotion Centre, Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Important role of business associations to liaise with the government and relevant agencies.

APEC PERU 2008WOMEN IN EXPORT

CHALLENGES (cont.)

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4. INCREASING BUSINESS COST High rise of materials makes difficult to keep up with committed contracts of construction. Financial plans should be revised and adjusted timely.

5. BUILDING BRAND NAME Maintaining consistency in product quality and improvement in a long run, keeping regular contact with existing clients, and develop new relationships, planning with efficient marketing and low cost.

6. ASCESSION TO WTO Reshaping business concepts, reviewing business plans to compete in the global market. However, fierce competition raises the need to form alliance.

7. TIME MANAGEMENT The more we are successful in business, the less time we have for our family. This is a constant struggle within ourselves as a businesswoman to balance off career and family.

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APEC PERU 2008WOMEN IN EXPORT

OPPORTUNITIES1. NEW MARKETS With healthier business environment and thanks

to Vietnam’s ascension to WTO, new markets are emerging, such as Middle-East countries. USA, EU, Japan, China and ASEAN countries remain our primary markets. We hope to have the opportunities to explore potential markets like Peru and Brazil.

2. PARTNERSHIP WITH FOREIGN AND LOCAL INVESTORS Foreign investment is increasing by many folds in Vietnam. Mutual trust is the key of successful joint ventures, respective business cultures to be considered and liabilities to be complied with by all stakeholders. We do look for partnership and potential investors for exportation of kitchen parts.

3. TOURISM IN VIETNAM A very potential business as Vietnam has secured political stabilization, natural resources to explore, unbeaten paths to discover, and friendly people to meet with.

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APEC PERU 2008WOMEN IN EXPORT

CHANGE OF MINDSET FOR VIETNAMESE WOMEN

oNot allowed to go out by themselves

o Framed with strict cultural traditions

oSevere punishment by the family in case of violation to these traditions

oNo contact between men and women in public areas

oStrict obedience to the men in family (father, husband, son)

oNo possibility of business management

o In-house management: restricted financial issues, food, education of daughters only.

OLD TIMES

oEncouraged to be self-confident

o Less strict cultural binds

oProtected by the law, but still strong influence of the family

oAllowed contact between men and women in public areas

oMore independence, but paying respect to elders

oMore physical business management, but sometimes lack of adequate skills

o In-house financial management, food and consumer goods, education of children (both girls and boys)

NOWADAYS

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WEST Rational reaction towards an

analysis to find it right or wrong, correct or not correct

Dynamic, exploring, expressive, aggressive, official

What the world is, based on self-value taking responsibility, emerging, taking pride

Methodical, accurate praising outward ideas

Rigid : elimination, selection for a

logical idea

APEC PERU 2008WOMEN IN EXPORT

DIFFERENCE IN CULTURE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST

EAST Emotional (by instinct, unclear

reaction as to do or not to do, good or bad)

Quiet, submissive, low profile, defensive, unofficial

What I am, based on community value unclear responsibility, trying to go around obstacles

Literal, referring to sayings, descriptive, inward reflection

Flexible, following the rules of the game, compromising, conservative

APEC PERU 2008WOMEN IN EXPORT

ENTERING THE FOREIGN MARKET

On-site export via tourist services

Attending workshops and conferences

Participation to trade fairs

Market research through business trips

Marketing on website

Focus on market-oriented products

Building brand name

Formation of business alliance

Adhesion to professional networks10