In the afternoon of January 4th, 2016, Mr. Kenneth Atkinson, Executive Chairman of Grant Thornton Vietnam cum Chairman of The British Business Group Vietnam (BBGV), visited Danang city, together with Mr. Christopher Jeffery, Dean of British University Vietnam cum Vice Chairman of BBGV. Vice Chairman of Danang People's Committee Dang Viet Dung, representatives of related city departments and business associations met with the UK delegation.
At the meeting, the representative of Danang Investment Promotion Center introduced briefly the city's socio-economic development, comparative advantages and investment incentives when investing in Danang Hi-tech Park, and investment of British businesses in Danang. As of December 2015, there are 09 projects invested by British businesses with a total investment of 1,600,411 USD, accounting for 0.046% the total FDI projects in Danang in such fields as education and training, management consultancy, e-commerce solution and development and software production…
On behalf of Grant Thornton Vietnam Co., Ltd., Mr. Ken Atkinson stated that Grant Thornton Vietnam is a subsidiary of Grant Thornton International Ltd., one of the six leading international groups specializing in independent auditing, tax consultancy and business management consultancy with more than 38,500 employees in 120 countries). Grant Thornton Vietnam Co., Ltd. is an independent auditing firm, 100% foreign-invested, operating in Vietnam since 1993, with offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, the company is one of the only two foreign companies which are authorized to provide auditing services for state-owned businesses in Vietnam.
In addition, as the Chairman of the BBGV, Mr. Atkinson expressed that BBGV was established in 1998, and it was the first foreign business associations in Vietnam, aiming to support investment and trade activities of their members in Vietnam. BBGV currently has 465 members, including 117 businesses, 67 investors working in such areas as education, retails, environment, agriculture, ICT… In 2015, BBGV organized 77 charitable and social activities, donating VND 1.4 billion.
The delegation's visit in Danang aimed to learn about the city's investment and trade environment, and discussed with the city's related deparments about cooperative opportunities between BBGV and Danang City to accelarate trade and investment between Danang and British business community. In addition, Grant Thornton Vietnam considered to open its representative office in Danang.
On behalf of the city leaders, Mr. Dang Viet Dung - Vice Chairman of Danang People's Committee warmly welcomed the delegation. As the city prioritized to develop its service and tourism, hi-tech industries, and ICT, Vice Chairman Dung requested Mr. Atkinson to help introduce Danang city to the British business community, and organize bring British businesses to come and learn about Danang's investment environment and opportunities. On the occasion of the Clipper Race Fleet docking at Danang from February, 17-27, 2016, the city would host many activities to promote interesting sights, tourist attractions as well as investment opportunities in the city. Vice Chairman Dung hoped Mr. Atkinson could invite British businesses to participate in the business matching event on such occasion. In addition, Mr. Dung would want Grant Thornton Vietnam to open its representative office in Danang soon to connect Danang and British businesses. Danang Investment Promotion Center was nominated by the Vice Chairman as the coordinating agency to support the company to establish its representative office and promote other cooperation opportunities in the coming time.
Within the framework of the visit, the delegation also worked with VCCI Vietnam, Danang Branch, and paid a field trip to Tien Sa Port and Danang Hi-tech Park.
IPC Danang
