ID :
42074
Thu, 01/22/2009 - 11:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/42074
The shortlink copeid
M&A in Vietnam retain lustre for foreign investors
Hanoi (VNA) - Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) activity in Vietnam is expected to become increasingly difficult this year due to the ongoing global financial crisis but it will retain its luster for foreign investors, said the financial group, Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) Vietnam.
Interest in Vietnam 's investment environment remains high as foreign
investors continue to view the underlying long-term potential of the country's
economy in a positive light, said PwC - the world's largest consultancy firm to
provide comprehensive legal advisory services alongside assurance, advisory and
tax services.
PwC's January 19 report affirmed that fund management companies, as well as other
commercial businesses, will continue to pursue and complete a significant number
of M&A deals during 2009.
In the view of recent changes to local legislation, PwC also expects an increase
in foreign investment via M&A in those sectors that are now eligible for full
ownership by foreigners, with retail being one of the sectors with the highest
potential.
Many joint ventures that were established across various sectors under the
previously more restrictive legal environment will be converted to wholly
foreign-owned companies, it predicted.
The company said that a number of deals that were initiated but not completed in
2008 are being closed in the first half of this year. Much will depend on the pace
of the equitisation of major corporations, such as MobiFone, and whether or not
equitised SoEs such as Vietinbank and Sabeco agree to sell significant amounts of
shares to foreign investors.
"The size of these potential deals is such that they would have a significant
impact on the overall value of deal activity," the report said.
It appears likely that most investors will proceed with such deals more cautiously
than they did prior to mid-2008, and that negotiations over pricing and specific
deal terms will be generally tougher and more time consuming to wrap up.
The level of M&A activity in Vietnam has undergone a process of steady
development. However, whilst the total number of announced deals increased to 146,
compared to 108 in 2007, the total value of these deals was just 1,009 million
USD, which compares poorly to the 1,719 million USD that was achieved in 2007.
The financial sector remains the most active followed by industrials. Media and
entertainment was another growth sector in 2008, accounting for 12 percent of all
registered deals.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Vietnam established offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
City in 1994. It currently employs approximately 500 Vietnamese and foreign
professionals.
Earlier this year, the company won a Golden Dragon Award, co-organised by Vietnam
Economic Times and the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of
Planning and Investment to recognise and honour the success of foreign invested
enterprises in Vietnam , and their contributions to the nation's
economy.-Enditem
Interest in Vietnam 's investment environment remains high as foreign
investors continue to view the underlying long-term potential of the country's
economy in a positive light, said PwC - the world's largest consultancy firm to
provide comprehensive legal advisory services alongside assurance, advisory and
tax services.
PwC's January 19 report affirmed that fund management companies, as well as other
commercial businesses, will continue to pursue and complete a significant number
of M&A deals during 2009.
In the view of recent changes to local legislation, PwC also expects an increase
in foreign investment via M&A in those sectors that are now eligible for full
ownership by foreigners, with retail being one of the sectors with the highest
potential.
Many joint ventures that were established across various sectors under the
previously more restrictive legal environment will be converted to wholly
foreign-owned companies, it predicted.
The company said that a number of deals that were initiated but not completed in
2008 are being closed in the first half of this year. Much will depend on the pace
of the equitisation of major corporations, such as MobiFone, and whether or not
equitised SoEs such as Vietinbank and Sabeco agree to sell significant amounts of
shares to foreign investors.
"The size of these potential deals is such that they would have a significant
impact on the overall value of deal activity," the report said.
It appears likely that most investors will proceed with such deals more cautiously
than they did prior to mid-2008, and that negotiations over pricing and specific
deal terms will be generally tougher and more time consuming to wrap up.
The level of M&A activity in Vietnam has undergone a process of steady
development. However, whilst the total number of announced deals increased to 146,
compared to 108 in 2007, the total value of these deals was just 1,009 million
USD, which compares poorly to the 1,719 million USD that was achieved in 2007.
The financial sector remains the most active followed by industrials. Media and
entertainment was another growth sector in 2008, accounting for 12 percent of all
registered deals.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Vietnam established offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
City in 1994. It currently employs approximately 500 Vietnamese and foreign
professionals.
Earlier this year, the company won a Golden Dragon Award, co-organised by Vietnam
Economic Times and the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of
Planning and Investment to recognise and honour the success of foreign invested
enterprises in Vietnam , and their contributions to the nation's
economy.-Enditem
