October 2015

A sampling of Tokyo’s popular b-kyu gurume

<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The latest Palatial Pursuits join four bespoke experiences that highlight the best in Japanese arts and culture. Highlights from the hotel’s current collection include:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceTsfDsVQBhdrTNW6EBBBhPUr0viqYprryzsleHtwpH2rXfZkfpP8xdE9ejrFjCTvBWmIL3HX3Q7AJMDhPGOm_BFxb-Zjel5kacAxfX-JNx9fEMKZ3B1zxSx2XC6EdnUkP0sFYUp-kKs/s640/A-sampling-of-Tokyo%25E2%2580%2599s-popular-b-kyu-gurume.png" width="640" /></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Customised gastronomic tours, ranging from a sampling of Tokyo’s popular b-kyu gurume (literally “B-grade gourmet”) casual eats with a local food writer to touring the world’s largest fish market and one of the city’s famous depachika (department store food hall) with a multifaceted guide who is a chef, sommelier and book author.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Full- and half-day art excursions led by one of the city’s leading art connoisseurs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A romantic getaway that features an akoya pearl, the most coveted of cultured pearls, as a keepsake.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A two- or four-hour private session with a Japanese etiquette expert, providing a window on the subtle nuances of the country’s customs and manners.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt; text-align: justify;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Each Pursuit can be requested individually or booked as part of a stay package. Guests also have the option to request general tour guides in lieu of the expert guides for the sumo and Kabuki experiences. The general sumo and kabuki packages are available year-round. Prices and experiences vary accordingly and all are based on availability. Rates quoted are based on double occupancy and exclude taxes and service charge.</span></div></div>

A sampling of Tokyo’s popular b-kyu gurume

The latest Palatial Pursuits join four bespoke experiences that highlight the best in Japanese arts and culture. Highlights from the hotel’s current collection include:Customised gastronomic tour…

30 Oct 2015

Palace Hotel Tokyo Unveils Sumo and Kabuki Additions to its “Palatial Pursuits”

Palace Hotel Tokyo Unveils Sumo and Kabuki Additions to its “Palatial Pursuits”

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30 Oct 2015

Egypt starts on new Suez Canal

<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To mark the 63rd anniversary of Egypt's National Day and the July 1952 Revolution, Ambassador Youssef K. Hanna provides a look at developments in recent years.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="pbody"><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This year, Egypt celebrates the 63rd Anniversary of its glorious 1952 Revolution which remains a landmark in the history of independence movements not only in Egypt, but also in the Arab world, Africa and all over the world.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxpZ8X2wEL-PvouNrTXI75TS4rUzzrEtKADl-A9UMXM5ZrY69codbrOQC3bz43cwrRKtGFgfBgSJ7B9O7ILgnsPGL1sQKXle8lqMflty8UGI7QNAhK7rrQE5CDiB1XLOiUyAkmvBXBgo/s640/Egypt-starts-on-new-Suez-Canal.png" width="640" /></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="pbody"><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Many important developments have taken place in Egypt during the last few years. Egypt has already taken important steps on the road map towards the future by adopting a new constitution and electing a new president.</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="pbody"><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We are now preparing to hold a parliamentary election, the third and last step. These developments have paved the way for Egypt to resume its historical role on both regional and international levels.</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="pbody"><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Since our celebration last year, Egypt has embarked on a number of mega projects, aiming at revitalising the economy with the target of sustainable GDP of six per cent by 2018-19. One of these projects is the New Suez Canal which will be inaugurated in a few days with the attendance of many world leaders and high-level delegations. The project will contribute to facilitating international trade and maritime transportation. Egypt will proceed with many other major projects that will help achieve its sustainable and comprehensive development.</span></span><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="pbody"><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Egyptian economy is one of the most varied of the Middle East economies, where the tourism, agriculture, industry and service sectors contribute almost and equal ratio to national production, with a total GDP of US$275 billion. Its strategic geographical location also allows easy access to the African, Arab, Asian and European markets.</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="pbody"><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The "Egypt Economic Development Conference" was held in Sharm El Shekh in March 2015. The conference was attended by many heads of state and high level delegations from friendly countries, including Viet Nam, as well as many important economic, business, financial and investment entities. The conference was a good opportunity for Egypt to showcase its potentials, and since then many new investment contracts have been concluded.</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="pbody"><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Tourism is a vital part of Egypt's economy. It accounts for 12 per cent of GDP, 48 per cent of service exports, 19 per cent of foreign currency revenues and about 13 per cent of total direct and indirect employment. Egypt hopes to increase its revenue from tourism by attracting 20 million visitors by 2020.</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt; text-align: justify;"> <div style="border: medium none; line-height: 13.5pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="pbody"><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Pyramids, Sphinx and other Pharaonic heritage are the most famous sites in Egypt. But a cruise on the river Nile reveals a wealth of this heritage especially in upper Egypt, where the Valley of the Kings, Luxor temple and all other Pharaonic monuments capture the hearts and minds of visitors. Safaris also offer the chance to explore the mountains and deserts of Sinai and the oases of the Western desert, diving in the Red Sea and hotels, spas and resorts in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurgada and other Egyptian cities, while enjoying Egyptian nights with amazing folk dancing and Arabic music.</span></span><span lang="VI" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></span></div></div>

Egypt starts on new Suez Canal

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30 Oct 2015

Vietnam Sharpens Appeal for the 1%

<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Exclusive consortium of country’s top hotels debuts as Quintessential Collection</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A group of Vietnam’s most exclusive hotels in each of the country’s most compelling stops is working to position the destination as a brighter lure for the world’s most upscale travelers.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The five properties, including the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and The Nam Hai in Hoi An, form the foundation of a new digital platform — Quintessential Collection Vietnam: <a href="http://quintessentialcollectionvietnam.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://quintessentialcollectionvietnam.com</a> — that will function as the single most important resource for affluent travelers en route to Vietnam.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygxCYPsgtwz2wvdnkyF263ZEXVeZkBZ1ItDF1LJe3ViQvAxRwW4rhrZ28geHzx2KKYxqQM1_Iztw-DtIVHcSLTPg2EJacZ0eG3Q1x4n9_VY5n55RFc8Pz61i-gVEU2i1MavWpZ-sIIAE/s640/Vietnam-Sharpens-Appeal-for-the-1.png" width="640" /></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The other hotels in the collection — The Reverie Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City, La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue and Paradise Cruises on Halong Bay — each offer a best-in-class experience in their particular destination.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Knowing where to go for the quintessential Vietnamese accommodation experience is the first best thing to know,” said Jim Sullivan, managing director of Balcony Media Group, the platform’s developer. “But what to do when she gets there, what to read before he goes, what to watch, what to listen to, who to look for — all of this essential information is going to drive the site.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Every month, the general manager from one of the Quintessential hotels will blog on issues that matter to the 1 percent — on getting a tuxedo made in Hanoi, on reading a translation of the great epic Vietnamese poem, The Tale of Kieu, on a night at the opera, and so on.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The site will also feature lists on issues that matter to the 1 percent, such as where to get exactly the right martini, and what goods are exactly the goods to bring home from a trip.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The site will report on what the world’s leading media are saying about Vietnam. And what activities the 1 percent may want to indulge while in country.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt; text-align: justify;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“The headline coming out of Vietnam, for years and years, was ‘Good Morning, Vietnam,’” said Sullivan, who wrote National Geographic’s first travel book to Vietnam. “That headline was fine for a destination that appealed to backpackers. But when a hotel starts picking up guests in a Rolls Royce limited-edition Phantom Dragon, we’re on the cusp of a very elegant evening, indeed. Good Evening, Vietnam.”</span></div></div>

http://quintessentialcollectionvietnam.com — that will function as the single most important resource for affluent travelers en route to Vietnam.

Vietnam Sharpens Appeal for the 1%

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30 Oct 2015

HSBC Welcome UK trade and Intesment delegation to Viet Nam

<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HSBC welcomes the arrival to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi of the British diplomatic delegation, including the British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, as part of its regional tour to promote further trade and investment flows between ASEAN and the United Kingdom. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="VI" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Mr Pham Hong Hai, CEO for HSBC in Vietnam, said: </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“The arrival of the UK delegation, including its Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, clearly demonstrates the importance that the UK places in further strengthening the trade, investment and people links between the two regions, and HSBC welcomes the initiative.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA18JmPQ5iVlwJ4aGRSsoD_RjG8e8gorPCJmzEZA4BhrBwIahVleH5tVg30vJ5F9pk445ME9He9LmQkFz76OmKfLBmsotaVPNRJTjGirhlS2G0pQXJ6a7HVgTZM0FSjuLQDeTLRXBXCqI/s640/HSBC-Welcome-UK-trade-and-Intesment-delegation-to-Viet-Nam.png" width="640" /></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="VI" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“HSBC has seen strong interest in the UK-ASEAN business corridor among our internationally oriented clients who span a variety of sectors including manufacturing, infrastructure, as well as business and financial services. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">For companies at either end of the ASEAN-UK corridor, success depends greatly on how well they understand the market dynamics and navigate the business and regulatory environment. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">ASEAN’s growth and increasing internal coherence as an economic unit offers highly attractive opportunities for foreign businesses on multiple fronts.” </span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“With the ASEAN Economic Community due to come into official existence in 2016</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">, the Prime Minister’s visit is a further vote of confidence in ASEAN integration. The AEC will lead to the freer flow of trade and goods for markets, both within and outside the ASEAN region, and</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">has the potential to become one of the engines of global economic growth.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As a member of ASEAN, Vietnam is part of a diverse and distinct region that represents a number of opportunities for UK businesses. According to the UK Trade and Investment agency, Vietnam is forecast to become one of the top 10 fastest growing global economies in the next few decades<sup>1</sup>. With this, both countries have taken important steps to enhance their trade and investment relationship, as outlined in the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in 2010.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Major exports from Vietnam to the UK include mobile phones, garment and textiles, shoes, wooden goods, computers, ancilleries and aquarium products (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">source: Vietnam Trade Office in the UK</i>). According to the Vietnam Exports and Imports Department, bilateral trade between Vietnam and the UK is reaching a total value of more than USD2 billion in the first six months of 2015. UK Foreign Direct Investment into Vietnam is currently USD2.7 billion and is expected to meet the target of USD3 billion set under the Strategic Partnership Agreement<sup>2</sup>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Vietnam Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and UK FCO Minister of State Hugo Swire reiterated their commitment to an early conclusion of an ambitious and comprehensive free trade agreement between Vietnam and EU, when they last met in February 2015. This agreement has the potential to unlock substantial new opportunities for businesses in both countries. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="VI" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Commenting on the bi-lateral links between Vietnam and the UK, Mr Pham Hong Hai said: “We know that Vietnam is a key destination for many of our European clients. What is clear is that they often look to leverage </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Vietnam as an important place when establishing an ASEAN presence, given the country’s political stability, competitive labour costs and growing domestic market for consumer goods, as well as the government’s ambitious programme for infrastructure development.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="VI" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">HSBC, in its recently published <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Global Connections</i> report<sup>3</sup>, said that the UK economy is set to enjoy a steady rate of growth in the medium term, accompanied by a continued rise in exports and imports. In the decade to 2030, the fastest rates of growth in UK exports and imports will continue to be with emerging economies. <span style="color: #111111;">At the sector level, industrial machinery and transport equipment are set to play the biggest role in driving UK merchandise export and import growth in terms of value over the next decade and a half. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt; text-align: justify;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">At its June 2015 Investor Day, HSBC announced ASEAN as a key priority region as part of its ‘Pivot to Asia’ business strategy. The focus will see HSBC accelerate its investment to Asia with a large focus on ASEAN.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><i>Source: HSBC</i> </span></div></div>

HSBC Welcome UK trade and Intesment delegation to Viet Nam

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30 Oct 2015

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HSBC Welcome UK trade and Intesment delegation to Viet Nam

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