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Renew food facilities' registration, FDA's Global Initiative, USTR Froman at APEC's 25th

FEATURES

U.S. FDA to Food Facilities: Renew your facility registration before Dec 31, 2014 All facilities, domestic and foreign, that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for human or animalconsumption in the U.S. must renew their FDA registration each even-numbered year between Oct. 1and Dec. 31. FDA will consider registrations that are not renewed by this date to be expired, making it aprohibited act for that facility to distribute food in the United States. FDA will hold any food shipped from aforeign facility with an expired registration at its U.S. port of entry until the facility is properly renewed. ...

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Global Initiative Global production of FDA-regulated products has quadrupled over the last decade and continues togrow. Today, FDA-regulated products originate from more than 150 countries, 130,000 importers and300,000 foreign facilities. Fifty percent of fresh fruits, 20 percent of vegetables, and 80 percent ofseafood consumed in America comes from abroad. Similarly, 40 percent of finished drugs come fromoverseas, and 80 percent of active ingredients manufacturers are located outside the US. Further, half ofall medical devices are imported. The growth in imports has been rapid and promises to accelerate. Asour world transforms and becomes increasingly globalized, it is vital that we come together as a globalcommunity - in new, unprecedented, and even unexpected ways - to build a public health safety net forconsumers around the world. ...

USTR Michael Froman's remarks at APEC Economic Ministers Meeting APEC's trade facilitation program has been in place for more than a decade, and has reduced tradetransaction costs in the region by 10 percent from 2002 to 2012. Reductions during the 2007 to 2010period alone saved businesses nearly $60 billion, to the benefit of consumers across the region."Since APEC's founding, average tariffs in the region have fallen from nearly 17 percent to 5.7 percent in2012 and 45 percent of tariffs across the region are now at zero.APEC has carried out a series of initiatives focused on addressing concrete issues that facilitate tradeacross the region. ..

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)'s 25th Anniversary: 1989 - 2014 APEC's 21 member economies have been working to improve prosperity in the Asia-Pacific by promotingtrade and economic ties while addressing sustainability and social equity. Growth has soared, with realGDP doubling from just USD 15 trillion in 1989 to USD 30 trillion in 2012. Meanwhile, residents of theAsia-Pacific saw their per capita income rise by 36 per cent, lifting millions out of poverty and creating agrowing middle class in just over two decades. Between 1989 and 2012, the APEC region's total tradeincreased over six and half times-outpacing the rest of the world with two-thirds of this trade occurring

between member economies. ...

Events

Fri, Nov 14ICT Committee Networking Event:Top 5 IT regulations impacting yourbusiness in Vietnam In 2013 Decree 72 was a bit of a rudeshock for anyone using IT in Vietnam. Oneyear later few of the 10 implementationcirculars have been issued and despite thepublic media furore having calmed down,this likely is only the calm before the stormas the issues have not gone away.Additionally some say the draft IT ServicesDecree is worse, yet not that many peoplereally know about it. If you are a company or an individualusing or accessing the Internet, Facebook,Gmail and other stuff on the Cloud weinvite you to an IT networking eveningwhere we share with you the Top 5 ITregulations impacting you and yourbusiness right now and providing you withthe opportunity to speak with experts andpeers and (time allowing) hearing aboutthe other IT regulations beyond the Top 5.

Thu, Nov 2714th Annual AmChamThanksgiving Turkey Shoot GolfTournament and Lunch

AmCham HCMC hosts a yearly GolfTournament on Thanksgiving Day, calledthe "Turkey Shoot." This event is anexcellent opportunity for AmChamMembers and their golfing friends to jointogether, as well as a creative way tosponsor an event that reaches out tomany people in the community. Typically,this event draws 50+ golfers.

Fri, Nov 28AmCham Supplier Day 2014 AmCham Vietnam is organizing a"Supplier Day" to support ourmanufacturing members to expand thelist of qualified local suppliers in Vietnam.To make the Supply Day successful, wewould like to know your company'srequirements and qualifications for localsuppliers. So if you're interested indeveloping local sources, please kindlyprovide us a list of products/ services thatyou would like or are trying to look for inVietnam.

Events, Meetings, Special Offers

Korean Air - Daily Flight to Houston Korean Air, America's largest Asian airline, launched nonstop service between Houston's George BushIntercontinental Airport (IAH) and Incheon International Airport in Seoul.Nonstop flights connecting thetwo destinations will depart from the Terminal D facility at Bush Intercontinental Airport(at 10:40 am)daily.The additional daily nonstop service of Korean Air to the Americas will provide great connectivitybetween Southeast Asia and Houston under a convenient schedule. More on Korean Air's programs, routes, frequencies and partners is available at www.koreanair.com.

2015 AmCham Membership Directory - published in March/April 2015

As you plan your advertising activities, be sure to consider the AmCham Vietnam 2015Membership Directory.

The directory is updated annually to provide profiles of almost 800 Chamber companies. It is a highlycost-effective method for reaching a wide range of customers because it's used in multiple ways by anumber of different audiences. It's used daily by members and employees, with over 1,400representatives. New members use it when they join AmCham, referencing the special section onmember benefits and Chamber programs and activities, as well as surveying the directory to find newbusiness partners.Click HERE for our Advertising Rates and Booking Form

Instant Credibility for Your Business with D-U-N-S® Registered™ Seal Program D&B suite of D-U-N-S® Registered Solution (DRS) is created to support global business expansion byproviding a D-U-N-S Number and a "trust seal" called D-U-N-S® Registered embedded with an electronicmark displayed on company website. A click on the seal displays information about your company that

has been VERIFIED & VALIDATED by an independent, reliable source, Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), a nametrusted by millions worldwide for over 170 years. Click HERE for more information.

Dec 13, 19th Annual Governors' Ball - A Nutcracker Dream The premier formal Christmas gala in Vietnam, the Governors' Ball is a unique opportunity to enjoy afestive and charitable celebration. This formal year-end holiday fête features gourmet fare, first-classmusical entertainment, wonderful raffle prizes and abundance of holiday cheer, bringing together ourextended American community of AmCham member executives, spouses and guests, U.S. andVietnamese government and business leaders.

Sep - Dec AmCham Scholarship 2014 AmCham will award scholarships to 45 top students from leading universities in Ho Chi Minh City after anextensive, three-month long assessment and selection process. This flagship program offers AmChamcompanies an excellent framework for identifying talent, and offers students an experiential learningopportunity about how to apply to join international companies. In addition, we offer "AmCham Women inEngineering Scholarships," and "AmCham - II-VI Foundation Engineering Scholarships." All scholarshipprograms are managed by the HR Committee, the AmCham Scholars Alumni/ae Club, and the AmChamExecutive Office. For more information about AmCham Scholarship 2014, please click HERE.

AmCham Scholarship 2014 - Seeking for Volunteers Interviewer We invite volunteer interviewers for AmCham Scholarship candidates, as the application and selectionprocess is well underway. We will conduct panel interviews with 90 candidates on Saturday, November29, 2014, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at Grand Ball Room, Grand Hotel Saigon. At the interviews, a panelof three interviewers will interview one candidate. We will need around 75 interviewers and the scheduleis as follows.The 90 candidates will be divided into four groups of about 23 students each and will be scheduled forinterviews at four time batches of about 45 minutes each: starting at 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am, and11:00am. Click the read more ... button below for additional details, and join us in this signature AmChamcommunity development program.

Dec 10, Annual General Meeting and Members Night (Members only) In accordance with Article IV of the AmCham Charter, the Annual General Meeting of the Ho Chi MinhCity Chapter will be held at the Renaissance Riverside Hotel on Wednesday, December 10, 2014,beginning at 6:00pm, followed by a cocktail reception for the General Membership. We will conduct thefollowing important business; (1) Report of the Chapter's Board of Governors on the Activities in 2014;(2) Report of the previous years' accounts; (3) Election to the Board of Governors (by secure onlinevoting between on or about Nov 7 and Dec 10).

AmCham Member Discounts Program The AmCham Member Discounts Program is provided as one of our Membership Benefits. It serves as amutually beneficial opportunity for both AmCham Members and AmCham Discount Partners. Membersmust present their AmCham Membership Card to receive special, privileged discounts offered byAmCham Discount Partners. A listing of discount offers is available in the annual Membership DiscountHandbook (hardcopy) and on the AmCham website.

Networking Opportunities with AmCham HCMC AmCham HCMC offers many opportunities to market your company's products and services to AmCham

members, the business community and the general public. Our services include: - Event Sponsorship- Event Management Support - Network (Advertise) on AmCham's website: plus 7.1k twitter followers, 5.5k facebook fans - Announcement in Weekly Email: 4,500+ AmCham company representatives and subscribers. AmCham Member Companies are offered 3 complimentary announcements in 2014. - Print advertising in AmCham Membership Directory- Print advertising in AmCham Membership Discount Handbook- Advertising on AmCham Discount Online

News and Issues Updates

Total Integrated Payroll Solution (TIPS) - New product launching of Talentnet On November 01, Talentnet launched a new product called "Total Integrated Payroll Solution - TIPS" inPayroll & Outsourcing Services. This is an integrated web based system that provides one solution formany functions relating to Payroll and HR management of business. With this system, it is easy for usersto keep track, store and retrieve data and export customized management reports if necessary.Moreover, TIPS can integrate flexibility with other HR and Finance systems.

Expand Your Business in Vietnam Vietnam is a country undergoing rapid economic development, characterized by quick growth, improvingliving standards and a large population of more than 90 million. Vietnam's cost competitiveness andrising skills of workers has also made it one of the most attractive manufacturing destinations in the worldtoday. Vietnam far exceeded its 2013 FDI target of USD 13 billion, registering a total of USD 22.35 billionFDI inflows, up 36% from the previous year. Investment in the manufacturing sector alone reached USD16.6 billion, accounting for over 75% of total FDI inflows.

DHL Express Vietnam expands its service network in the South Red River Delta Starting from 01 October 2014, DHL Express Vietnam expands its service network in the South RedRiver Delta area. The operation of new routes by DHL Express improves the service especially in theNam Dinh, Ninh Binh and Thai Binh Industrial Zones and nearby developing areas. Customers in theselocations are now able to benefit from a same day uplift service, previously not available, and fromsignificantly later cutoff times for the pickup of their shipments for a next day uplift.

Expected year-end consumption boom lifts business optimism There is renewed optimism in Vietnam's general economy with the D&B Business Optimism Index (BOI)making a strong recovery this quarter compared to the previous quarter, and even surpassing the indexof Q1. This is likely attributed to the settlement of the East Seas conflict with China and the accelerationof the economy in Q3. The widespread optimistic outlook cuts across all components and all economicsectors, with some cases recording large increases (about 50 percentage points or more). A majority ofrespondents expect a rise in Sales and Profits, anticipating a booming consumption season during theyear-end quarter. ...

Cargill builds 70th school in Vietnam Since 1995, Cargill's school-building program in Vietnam has raised more than US$3.8 million andeducates some 13,000 students every year. Cargill has pledged to increase the number to 75 schoolsand education facilities to educate some 15,000 students by 2015 - a significant year that marks Cargill's20th year in Vietnam and Cargill's 150th anniversary globally.Established in February 1995, Cargill Vietnam today employs more than 1,100 employees across 15locations. Its operations include animal nutrition, cocoa production, food and beverage ingredients, grainand oilseed trading and marketing, and metals trading. ...

Aviation's Global Infrastructure Challenge The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently released its first 20-year passenger demandforecast. By 2034 total passenger numbers are projected to reach 7.3 billion, more than double the 3.3billion passengers expected to take to the air this year. Recently McKinsey estimated the investment inairports required to support GDP growth will need to be some $2 trillion by 2030.IATA called for a partnership approach guided by clearly defined success factors to build the global

infrastructure needed for aviation to continue supporting economic and social development.

Vietnam's FDI-led economy, SOEs, education, and the middle-income trap Vietnam's economic growth has been increasingly driven by FDI. But supply chain linkages between FDIand local firms are very weak. FDI firms in machinery assembly heavily rely on imports of parts,components and other intermediate goods. Procurement from domestic resources is mainly from otherFDI firms rather than local firms. Strong FDI performance can help Vietnam maintain moderate growth,but without substantial institutional reforms, including SOE reform and education reform, the economywill continue to underperform.

Boeing 777 doors to be made in Vietnam by Japan's MHI Aerospace Vietnam to enhance cost competitiveness by accumulating manufacturingexpertise in the Southeast Asian nation, where labor costs are low. Doors will be the second aircraft partMitsubishi Heavy makes in Vietnam, as it has produced flaps for the Boeing 737 there since 2009. Thecompany would cooperate with domestic partners and use Boeing's assistance to develop itsmanufacturing and supply chain in Viet Nam.

Vietnam - U.S. trade on track for another increase of nearly 20% in 2014 Vietnam - U.S. trade continues to expand, and may reach $34.9 billion in 2014, after hitting $24.9 billionin 2012, and $29.7 billion in 2013, a healthy increase of almost 20% two years in a row. U.S. imports oftextiles and apparel from Vietnam are up 14%, and may reach $9.8 billion in 2014, approaching a 10%share of the U.S. market. Remarkably, just seven years after WTO accession in January 2007, Vietnamis now one of the top three ASEAN exporters to the U.S., ahead of Thailand and Malaysia. Vietnamaccounts for 20% of ASEAN exports to the U.S. and if present trends continue, will have a market shareof over 30% by 2020.

USTR Froman: prepare for TPP by implementing international regulations The US wanted Viet Nam to comply with international regulations on intellectual property, theenvironment and labour in order to facilitate the conclusion of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations,visiting Trade Representative Michael Froman told President Truong Tan Sang in Ha Noi.Once the deal was signed, Viet Nam would see a number of benefits, including stronger inflow ofinvestment, Froman said.

Thinking about Vietnam's Development Strategy In the era of "supply-chain trade," "industrialization" means little more than opening labor markets toglobal manufacturers. Countries that can grab pieces of global supply chains are quickly rewarded withlots of manufacturing employment. But development that is easy-come may also be easy-go. Unless theeconomies concerned can quickly build up their workers' skills and infrastructures, wage increases willsoon lead manufacturers to pick up sticks and move to cheaper locations.

AmCham Vietnam - HCMC received Prime Minister's Certificates of Merit

At AmCham's 20th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on September 18, 2014, Vice Chairman of HCMCPeople's Committee Le Thanh Liem handed the Prime Minister's Certificates of Merit to AmChamVietnam - HCM City and to Mr. Herb Cochran, Executive Director for their excellent performance insupporting and promoting trade and investment in Ho Chi Minh City.

AmCham Vietnam | herb.cochran@amchamvietnam.com | http://www.amchamvietnam.comNew World Hotel Saigon #323

76 Le Lai Street, District 1Ho Chi Minh City

© 2002 - 2012 The American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam

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