The conference was participated in by 45 representatives from the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Thailand, Switzerland, Turkey, Australia, Hungary, the Philippines, Japan, and Vietnam. Representatives from 33 other countries also joined the online platform.

According to Ivan Alver, co-chairman of GMAP, the strengths of the Vietnamese market include stable politics and an abundant and skilled workforce with lower labour costs than in China.

"Therefore, multinational companies and investors are choosing Vietnam as a location to implement their supply chain diversification strategies," he said.

Frederic De Boer, another co-chairman from GMAP, asserted that despite the economic downturn, there is a significant number of transactions taking place.

“We think this will continue. Good companies will be attractive at good valuations. But it’s even more important to spend more time on preparations and the implementation of sales process than before,” said De Boer.

GMAP is a worldwide partnership of 30 merger and acquisition (M&A) firms covering 50 countries and regions throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

GMAP 2023 was hosted by RECOF Vietnam, aiming to serve as a valuable platform to showcase and facilitate investment opportunities in Vietnam for the esteemed GMAP M&A professionals. It provided a comprehensive understanding of Vietnam's market dynamics and fostered deeper communication between RECOF and its partners around the world, thereby attracting investments from a wider range of countries within the partnership network.

The execution of cross-border M&A deals involving different countries is a pillar of GMAP’s strategy.

Over the last 12 months, more than 20 overseas deals were closed involving various locations around the globe. RECOF Vietnam wants to foster the realisation of international deals initiated from Vietnam.

Representatives from GMAP and RECOF at the press briefing before the conference

Vietnam is recognised as one of the most promising and attractive countries worldwide, boasting a significant population size, an impressive economic growth rate, and a burgeoning middle-income consumer base.

Over the years, the country has successfully attracted investments from various parts of Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and China. However, there has been a noticeable absence of investments from Europe and the Americas.

According to Tran Thi Hai Yen, director of the Investment Promotion Centre-South Vietnam, Vietnam is a favourable destination for foreign investment. Figures from the Ministry of Planning and Investment show that up to October, 143 countries and territories have invested in the nation. There are more than 38,600 projects with total registered capital of over $460 billion.

“Vietnam’s foreign direct investment for the first ten months of 2023 reached $18 billion, marking a 2.4 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. This is the highest amount seen in the last five years,” Yen said at the conference.

Through the GMAP Conference, RECOF Vietnam endeavours to create a crucial bridge, connecting GMAP M&A professionals and investors with new opportunities in Vietnam.

The conference featured insightful presentations, discussions, and networking sessions, enabling participants to gain valuable insights into the investment landscape, regulatory frameworks, and emerging sectors in Vietnam. Moreover, attendees had the opportunity to engage in fruitful discussions with industry experts, government officials, and prominent business leaders.

Sam Yoshida, CEO of RECOF Vietnam said, "We are excited to host the GMAP Conference and provide a platform for international investors to explore the untapped potential of Vietnam."

"Through this conference, we aim to foster stronger partnerships and encourage a diverse range of investments from our esteemed GMAP M&A professionals, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of Vietnam's economy," Yoshida concluded.