AT A GLANCE

The Singapore Chamber of Commerce Vietnam – SCCV (formerly Singapore Business Group HCM City Chapter – SBG HCMC) is a non-profit organization established on 9 August 1992 by a small group of Singaporeans doing business or working in Vietnam.

Since then, it has evolved from a social club with a membership of 30 individuals into a premier business group with a membership strength of more than 300 members and is growing.

Besides organizing monthly social networking sessions amongst various business communities, seminars on law, and other business-related topics, The association also undertakes charity projects to help the less fortunate in Vietnam.

Since 2001, the association has set up an educational fund from the proceeds of an annual charity golf event to provide scholarships for needy and deserving Higher Secondary school and University students. To date, 2,795 such students had benefited from this scholarship.

In the first quarter of 2023, the official merger between SCCV and SBAV – Singapore Business Association Vietnam in Hanoi is finalized. This merger will lead to the creation of a more significant business association, with a broader membership base, more resources, and a stronger voice in the community.

VISION & MISSION

OUR VISION

To be a caring, cohesive, and reputable premier business chamber in Vietnam.

OUR MISSION

To actively foster business relations with other business communities whilst promoting social, cultural, recreational, educational, and charitable activities.

OUR OBJECTIVES

  • To act as a source of assistance and guidance for Members.
  • To gather and disseminate relevant information and legislation to Members.
  • To organize seminars and dialogues on relevant business-oriented topics of interest to Members.
  • To promote social, cultural, recreational, and educational activities for its Members and their families.
  • To participate in public and charitable activities for the benefit of Members and the general public.
  • To undertake any other activities that are consistent with the Association’s objectives within the laws of Vietnam.
  • To set up Chapters in various cities and provinces in Vietnam to carry out the objective of the Association.
  • To promote business relations amongst members as well as with Vietnamese enterprises, foreign business entities, and business associations.
  • To organize regular networking functions amongst its Members with other business entities, business associations, and competent authorities.
  • To co-operate with competent authorities in seeking Members’ feedback on laws, regulations, and procedures relevant to enhancing the attractiveness of Vietnam’s business environment.

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT

It is my pleasure to address our Patron, Partners, valuable Members and Associates in my 10th year as the President of Singapore Chamber of Commerce Vietnam.

Looking back at 2021, it has been an eventful year. It started with the inauguration of Joe Biden in January. Kamala Harris became their first female, Black and South Asian Vice-President. In February, the coup d’état in Myanmar saw the toppling of the popularly elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. America pulling out their troops in Afghanistan in April after nearly 20 years of conflict.

In 2021, Supply Chains became a household term. Businesses have assumed for decades that outsourcing production was the key to success. Then there was COVID-19. It revealed one of the drawbacks of supply chains: shortages and stoppages far away lead to shortages and stoppages closer to home. When the pandemic initially struck, factories shut down and many businesses reduced inventory to avoid being stuck with unsold items. However, when vaccines became accessible in 2021, customer demand skyrocketed, leaving many enterprises short on parts and supplies. All businesses globally experienced this on an unprecedented level. Relief to this problem is still nowhere near in sight.

Covid 19 vaccines arrived as the virus started to mutate. Just when the world thought that the Delta variant could be put under control, Omicron took the world by storm. Following a rebound to an anticipated 5.5 percent in 2021, global growth is expected to slow to 4.1 percent in 2022, owing to prolonged COVID-19 flare-ups, less fiscal support, and persisting supply bottlenecks.

Vietnam’s 2021 was by far the most challenging to date. While Vietnam was praised around the world for containing the pandemic in 2020, the Delta variant proved to be too much to handle, resulting in stringent lockdowns, industrial interruptions, and supply chain disruptions.

While most western countries suffered an excruciating 2020, Vietnam’s 2021 was harsh with the pandemic hitting Vietnam’s GDP hard. In Q3 2021, Vietnam recorded its first-ever negative GDP, since 2000 affecting businesses and its people significantly. Nevertheless, Vietnam rebounded in the last quarter and had achieved an amazing 2.58% growth while most of world’s economies were in the red. While most economies are still dealing with an ongoing covid surge or the aftermath, the business sentiment in Vietnam still remained strong followed by positive GDP growth in the foreseeable future.

For 2022, Vietnam’s government has forecast GDP growth of 6 to 6.5 percent. For us at SCCV, we had a challenging 2021. With the social distancing measures in place most part of the year, we had switched to conducting more webinars events in place of physical networking sessions and forums. And that had also set the pace for us to continue conducting webinars and hybrid events (physical event with live streaming) moving forward. To continue enforcing our focus on helping businesses, we had also formulated two business-focus sub-committees (led by our members) – F&B Sub-com and Startup Sub-com. More such sub-committees are incubated as we speak. It would be an exciting ride into the new year.

We look forward to seeing all of you in our coming events.

On behalf of Singapore Chamber of Commerce Vietnam, we will like to wish our Patron, Corporate Sponsors, Members and Associates a healthy and prosperous year of the Tiger.

Norman Lim

President, Singapore Chamber of Commerce Vietnam

Mr. Norman LimPresident

SCCV EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER – HCMC HEAD OFFICE

MR. NORMAN LIM

President

Norman Lim has been in Vietnam since 2007. He has previously headed two Fortune 500 MNCs, spearheading their businesses in Vietnam from scratch. With his vast Green field experience, he is now working for Metkraft Ltd (a Fisher Barton company) as President with responsibility over their manufacturing operations and to expand their commercial footprint in Asia Pacific. He has joined SCCV as an Executive Member since 2008 and took reign of the Chair in 2012. He has worked relentlessly with Exco team to bring value and more business focus activities to our members. He is also very active in CSR activities. As a PADI certified Master Instructor, he has been an active marine life conservationist in his previous tour of work in Brunei. And now he has taken over the baton to continue raising Education Funds (an SCCV initiative) to help poor but deserving students in and around Ho Chi Minh City to continue their studies.

MR. DIXON OH

Vice President

Dixon; Oh Gek Soon is a Singaporean businessman based in Vietnam for almost 23+ years since 2000. He is currently the CEO of Eagle Trading & Logistics Co., Ltd. He is also the Board Member of Aquarius Vietnam JSC.

Prior to his current post, Dixon held senior management responsibilities in a number of Singapore-based regional companies. Dixon was first posted to Vietnam as General Director of the Vietnam operations of AP Oil International Ltd, a Singapore mainboard-listed company.

Prior to Vietnam, Dixon worked in a number of countries in East Europe, Middle-East, Africa and Southeast Asia.

MR. SECK YEE CHUNG

Vice President

Seck Yee Chung leads Baker McKenzie’s M&A practice in Vietnam. He is ranked as a leading and recommended lawyer in the Corporate, M&A and TMT practices in Vietnam by various league tables (Chamber Asia, IFLR1000, Asia Pacific Legal 500, etc.).

He has dealt with a wide range of investment projects and major M&A deals. He advises and assists on investment, corporate, commercial and compliance/competition matters.

This includes foreign direct investment, market access and licensing, private and public M&A, commercial contracts, data use and privacy, competition and merger filing, and compliance, over a diverse range of sectors, including technology, e-commerce, logistics and real estate to consumer products, food and beverages, healthcare, manufacturing, and industrials.

MR. JASON YEO

Vice President

With more than 17 years of experience in the banking industry and having spent 8 years in Vietnam, Jason has witnessed the Fin-tech revolution in a developed financial center and an energetic frontier market. In the retail banking front where the battleground is one of the most intensive, having a clear customer orientation and innovative commercialization beachheads will allow us to optimize cost per acquisition, foster deep engagements and effortless servicing of our users.

With a relatively young population and rapid economic developments in Vietnam, Jason’s focus is to develop a comprehensive network, service and digital strategy to better serve the community and facilitate Foreign Direct Investments into the country. Jason is known to be a people’s person and passionate in championing corporate social responsibility initiatives, specifically in helping less fortunate children to develop their talents. Jason took over as Vice President for Singapore Chamber of Commerce Vietnam in 2022.

MR. ELIAS ABRAHAM

Honorary Secretary

Elias is the Managing Director of ZIM Shipping Line in Vietnam. ZIM founded in 1945 and headquartered in Haifa (Israel), is ranked among the Top 10 global shipping lines. ZIM is a veteran shipping liner, with decades of experience providing customers with innovative seaborne transportation and logistics services, a reputation for industry-leading transit times, schedule reliability and service excellence.

Elias holds a Postgraduate Degree from the National University of Singapore and spent half of his 22-year shipping career in Vietnam, aside from stints in India, Sri Lanka and the US. In Vietnam, Elias served as APL’s Regional Director for SE Asia/Oceania (2016-2017) and Managing Director in Vietnam (2011-2015). While in Sri Lanka (2007-2011), he served as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators (SLAVO).

Elias is a Singapore citizen residing in Ho Chi Minh and currently Chairs SCCV’s Supply Chain Sub-Committee.

MR. JEFFERY LEE

Honorary Secretary

Jeffery Lee has been searching for local talent in Vietnam since November 2010 due to his involvement in the Executive Search and HR Consulting Services of A8 Resource Co., Ltd. in developing a talent pool for foreign-invested and domestic enterprises in manufacturing, IT, logistics, FMCG, industrial sales services industries.

Jeffery and his colleagues are continuously working to support clients as a HR Business Partner providing Payroll Services, EoR Outsourcing and HR As a Service with customised HR solutions.

As of now, he is focused on the collaboration with Growth Consulting Asia Pte Ltd to introduce the Five Dimensions of the Growth Mindset © in Vietnam as well as Next Phase Leadership on the Four Phases of Performance and Contribution.

MS. AMY WEE

Honorary Advisor

Amy is the Country Head, SEAPAC (Vietnam), Singapore Business Federation. The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) is the apex business chamber championing the interests of the Singapore business community in the areas of trade, investment, and industrial relations. It represents 28,000 companies, as well as key local and foreign business chambers.

Amy joined SBF in 2019 to help SMEs internationalise to Vietnam. To assist Singapore SMEs in expanding their presence in Vietnam, a comprehensive advisory approach is given particularly on Vietnam market landscape, connecting SMEs to potential Vietnamese business partners and vendors, and offering solutions to difficulties. Efforts are also made to connect SMEs with relevant networks such as local trade associations, business chambers and government agencies which can help facilitate valuable connections and partnerships.

Prior to joining SBF, Amy worked in Vietnam for more than a decade, in the FMCG and the Real estates.

MR. WESLEY CHUA

Honorary Treasurer

Wesley is a Singaporean with 15 years of experience in Tax and Finance, now based in Vietnam with Ernst & Young (EY) since 2020. Wesley specializes in advising clients from an international perspective across various sectors in international taxation and transfer pricing, focusing in ASEAN and Greater China markets.

Wesley has worked in projects including tax planning & restructuring, supply chain restructuring, treasury management, BEPS 2.0, global TP documentation, tax audits and work involving multiple tax authorities such as MAP & APA.

Wesley is an Accredited Tax Advisor (Income Tax) with Singapore Chartered Tax Professionals, Chartered Accountant with Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants, ASEAN CPA holder.

MR. KELVIN ANG

Committee Member

Kelvin Ang, Singaporean and has been living in Vietnam for 13 years. He is the founder of ILW EVENT Company since 2015. In ILW, we make it our priority to understand our client’s objectives, working alongside clients from concept to completion to create a unique and memorable event. We pride ourselves on delivering a great service to each and every one of our clients, large and small.

MR. KEN ANG

Committee Member

Ken has been living in Vietnam for over 22 years. He is the Technical Director for United Paints Company which supplies equipment, 3M automotive products and OEM paint to automotive assembly factories. He has been an Executive committee member at SCCV since 2004.

MS. NGUYEN PHAN PHUONG THAO (EMILY)

Committee Member

Thao (Emily) had been with  SCCV as a Senior Marcom Executive for 3 years (2019-2022) and is currently an Event Manager of Tanzanite International. Tanzanite International is an international developer with a long-term focus and commitment to luxury lifestyle beachfront resort and residential developments.

Thao has a demonstrated history of more than 8-year working in the event services industry with international and local brands with strong sales professional and strong will in building relationships with partners.

Thao looks forward to opportunities to continue her contribution & support to SCCV in the 2022-2024 Term.

MR. TERRY TAN

Committee Member

Hello, my name is Terry Tan and I am the Director of Leong Lee International and Tree Marine which is involved in energy commodities and marine logistics, power and agribusiness.

I specialize in business development and advisory consultancy and have been focusing on bulk cargo and coastal wind projects in Vietnam, especially in the southern region.

I prefer to spend time with my family and friends, feeling that work is important, however it is how we contribute to our friends, family and society that defines us.

I am humbled and happy to be part of SCCV and look forward to any opportunities to serve and contribute to my fellow countrymen.

MR. MORGAN ULAGANATHAN

Committee Member

Morgan Ulaganathan is the Head of Asset Services & Hospitality Advisory for Vietnam with Colliers. He has over 2 decades of experience in hospitality and real estate across Asia Pacific, with a multidisciplinary operational background in hospitality and asset services.

With Colliers, he manages developers and investors property portfolio through operational excellence of asset services. In the field of hospitality, he has provided clients with asset management, strategic planning, operator selection, general consulting and advisory services.

Morgan is a Singaporean citizen and holds a EMBA from Nanyang Business School along with Executive Education pursued at INSEAD, Cornell and UC Berkeley. He has been based in Vietnam since 2012.

MR. TERI TEO

Committee Member

Teri Teo is the CEO & founder of Learth Vietnam JSC. He had been extensively working in the plastics industry for more than 20 years specializing in eco-product applications and recently ventured into F&B product innovation and market development in Asia Pacific. He has been awarded the spirit of entrepreneurs 2010, OCBC emerging enterprise finalist 201, best innovation awards 2011 from SingTel, Food Innovation Product Awards 2019 and Singapore Star Packaging Awards 2020 and Made with Passion Brand under Singapore Tourism Board and Enterprise Singapore.

He is an executive committee member of the Food Industry group of Singapore Manufacturing Federation and the Packaging Council of Singapore for more than 6 years.

SCCV NOMINATED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER – HCMC HEAD OFFICE

MR. ZAC CHEN

Nominated Committee Member

Zac Chen founded a startup numberr.co, an online platform that enables people to automate actions between people. Prior, he was in Vietnam covering software distribution, training and cleantech in the late 2010s. He is also experienced in Corporate Banking covering Structured Trade and Commodities, Transaction Banking and Asset Based Lending across Singapore, China & Hong Kong in various financial institutions.  Zac would like to contribute to the wider business community in the areas of family business management, succession and use of technology. He is the Vice Chairman of the SCCV Startup & Innovation Sub-Committee.

MR. AJAY PANOT

Nominated Committee Member

Ajay Hiralal Panot has been a member of Singapore Chamber of Commerce Vietnam for the past 20 years. He is General Manager at Raptakos, Brett & Co Ltd where he has joined since August 1987, and he has worked in Vietnam since November 1991 till date. Ajay was the Chairman of the Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam (INCHAM) from 2000 to 2006. Being a part of the Executive Committee for the term 2018-2020 and 2020-2022, he will support the team to organise various business and cultural events.

MR. ALAN PHUA

Nominated Committee Member

Alan Phua is the Chief Executive Officer of Virtue Partners Management (Vietnam).

Possessing more than 2 decades of leadership experience, Alan started his career in the Finance industry  15 years ago. Previous appointments held included Head of Private Wealth, Recruitment, and Healthcare Services. Alan is also concurrently a Brigade Warrant Officer in the Singapore Armed Forces.

Alan enjoys participating in committees and believes firmly in creating a collaborative and supportive environment where every member is heard and feels welcomed. Professionally, Alan has a diverse network of business professionals from different nationalities.

Alan is able to converse effectively in English, Mandarin and Vietnamese.

MR. TAN QUEE PENG

Nominated Committee Member

Quee Peng has more than 20 years of architectural experience leading major projects across Asia. His diverse portfolio includes residential, commercial, industrial and redevelopment initiatives.

He believes that architecture is an inextricable part of our experience and has the power to inform and transform our sensibilities and perceptions, from personal spaces to our interaction with society at large. Quee Peng takes a whole-of-life cycle approach on projects, from new development to brownfield asset enhancement, to deliver quality to stakeholders at all levels.

He enjoys walks, reading, music and wine in his leisure time.

SCCV EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER – HANOI CHAPTER

MR. KENNETH LOH

Vice President

Kenneth first stepped foot in Vietnam in the autumn of 1994 and it was love at first sight. He has since been designing buildings of various nature initially from Singapore and later from his Hanoi office. He witnessed firsthand the fast-pace urban development of Vietnam especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi over the past decades.
Prior to Vietnam, Kenneth has worked on projects in Singapore, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and U.A.E. Kenneth runs his Architectural Practice with worldwide perspectives and local sensitivities. He is a registered Architect both in Singapore and Vietnam, also a registered Green Mark Professional and a strong advocate of sustainable design as well as biophilic design.

Kenneth believes in delivering the most appropriate design solutions for the benefit of the investors, community as well as the environment.

MS. SOPHIA TEO

Committee Member

Sophia is an experienced professional with over 20 years of business development in the building material industry. She currently works as a Business Development Manager at a local contractor company based in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Having relocated to Vietnam 15 years ago, she has gained a profound understanding of the Vietnamese market and industry dynamics. Her ability to adapt to different cultures and work environments has allowed her to build strong connections with clients, partners, and colleagues, resulting in fruitful collaborations and business opportunities.

Her expertise lies in identifying new business opportunities, cultivating relationships with key stakeholders, and implementing effective sales strategies.

MR. CLAFF YEAP

Committee Member

Claff is a Singaporean with more than 29 years of experiences in Sales, Marketing and Regional Channel Distribution staying in Vietnam since 1994. Claff is also the former General Manager for Residential Equipment in Carrier Vietnam Air Conditioning Co. Ltd.

Currently based in Hanoi city as the Business Development Manager & Operation Manager in Hanoi office for Appliancz Vietnam JSC. – an Integrated Building Solutions company providing HVAC System, Building Efficiency and Air-purification solutions representing Johnson Controls, York, BAC, Simplex, Tyco, ScentAir and Optipura.

MR. CHIA HAN MENG

Committee Member

In 1998, Chia founded Blitz IT Consultants Pte Ltd with its headquarters in Singapore, specializing in International Payment Transfer, Risk & Compliance, and Financial Crimes. Despite navigating through numerous global economic challenges in the last two decades, he successfully expanded his client base across Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Chia’s pioneering spirit led to the successful launch of the company’s first overseas venture in Vietnam in 2005, now serving over 40 financial institutions. Building on this foundation, he strategically expanded operations into Malaysia, Myanmar, and The Philippines. He hopes he can contribute his experience to other fellow entrepreneurs to consider Vietnam as their next destination for business ventures.

MR. MOK TECK HENG

Committee Member

Mok Teck Heng is a Singaporean with 28 years of experience in Construction industrial, regarding in Mechanical and Electrical Design and Project management, now based in Hanoi, Vietnam with FQM project management and construction management company since 2020. FQM was established in 2008, with a team of expert engineers, and architects who have vast experience in the field of Project Management and Construction Supervision for diverse construction: Civil, Hospitality, Industry, Hospital, High technology, Infrastructure, Embankments, Ports… Mok Teck Heng focuses on business development for the company and is involved in hotel project management with international hotel groups and international clients in Vietnam. Mok Teck Heng has worked on various projects like office towers, mixed development – commercial and residential, and hotels throughout Vietnam spread around Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Danang region.

SCCV SECRETARIATS 

MS. TRISTYN

Pham Ngoc Phuong Thao (Ms. Tristyn)
Senior Marcom Executive
Email: thao.pham@singchamvn.org

MS. HANIE

Ha Dang Thuy Hien (Ms. Hanie)

Marketing Officer

Email: hien.ha@singchamvn.org

MS. ELLY

Vo Ngoc Quynh Tran (Ms. Elly)

Senior Finance and Administrator

Email: tran.vo@singchamvn.org

MS. VICKY

Tran Ngoc Phuong Vy (Ms. Vicky)

Event & Marketing Executive

Email: vy.tran@singchamvn.org

MS. CHLOE

Thai Thi Linh (Ms. Chloe)

Event & Marketing Officer – Hanoi Chapter

Email: linh.thai@singchamvn.org