Marco Förster Delivers Keynote Speech at HCMC Indonesian Consulate General’s Business Gathering

On December 30, 2024, Mr. Marco Förster and his team from Dezan Shira & Associates attended a business gathering hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City. As a keynote speaker, Mr. Förster participated in a panel discussion hosted by H.E. Consul General of Indonesia to HCMC Agustaviano Sofjan and Mr. Nguyen Thang, Research Head at Vietcombank, and Indonesia’s marketing expert Hermawan Kartajaya as guest speakers.

They focused on insights from the past year and discussed the economic outlook for Indonesia and Vietnam in 2025. The theme of the discussion was “Seizing Opportunities in a Changing World.”

The panel successfully drew the attention of enthusiastic experts and business executives from various industries to explore how businesses and partners can develop strategies to balance cost and efficiency for long-term sustainable growth in 2025. During the panel, Mr. Förster highlighted that Vietnam, along with the Philippines and Indonesia, has demonstrated impressive economic growth rates post-COVID, even surpassing China’s growth.

According to Mr. Förster, Vietnam has successfully positioned itself as a neutral player on the global stage, garnering the attention of world leaders, including Biden, Xi Jinping, and Putin, in a relatively short time. This development underscores Vietnam’s significant role in regional geopolitics, as investments in ASEAN are seen as advantageous for the entire region.

Additionally, Vietnam is a participant in multiple free trade agreements, such as the CPTPP, RCEP, and ASEAN, which enhance its strategic position for import and export activities. The country also has a unique trade agreement with the European Union, setting it apart from other ASEAN nations.

Looking ahead, Mr. Förster emphasized that many foreign investors view Vietnam as a gateway for exporting to global markets rather than focusing solely on its domestic market. This perspective underscores Vietnam’s strategic importance in the supply chain. Predictions suggest that trade volumes between China and ASEAN countries will increase by 2032, reflecting the growing economic interdependence within the region. Vietnam is regarded as a key player in ASEAN, significantly contributing to the economic landscape and positioning the region for future growth alongside Indonesia and the Philippines.

In conclusion to his presentation, Mr. Förster, who was joined by our Vietnam Briefing editor, Vu Nguyen Hanh, and Business Intelligence expert, Nguyen Thuy Tien, emphasized that “every Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in ASEAN is a win for the region, while every FDI outside of ASEAN is a loss.” He pointed out that any new investment in the region represents an opportunity for everyone involved.