GBA Business Meeting in April: Traversing Vietnam’s Business Environment amid Global Trade Shifts & Tariff Turbulence

Event Details

In today's rapidly changing trade environment, tariffs are a key focus. The German Business Association (GBA), along with AmCham Vietnam, EuroCham Vietnam, and the German Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City, is hosting a Business Meeting next Monday (14 April) to discuss recent developments and their impact on foreign companies in Vietnam.

This event will offer expert insights, practical implications, and future perspectives. Topics include the geopolitical effects of Trump's presidency on US-Vietnam relations, the US economic outlook, and its global market influence, especially in Southeast Asia.

We will also explore Vietnam's geopolitical restructuring and its effects on the business environment and investment climate, particularly for EU companies. EuroCham will share its advocacy priorities for 2025.

The event will end with a panel discussion to prepare businesses for upcoming opportunities and challenges. Reserve your slots now!

Event Details:

Date: Monday, 14 April 2025 | Time: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Venue: Sofitel Saigon Plaza, 17 Le Duan Blvd, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Meeting chair: Mr. Erick Contreras, GBA's EuroCham Delegate/ Managing Director of BASF Vietnam

Keynote Speakers & Presentations:

Dr. Josefine Wallat, Consul General of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City - Opening Speech
Mr. Mark Gillin, Chairman of AmCham Vietnam - Focus on US Trump's Impacts to Global and SE Markets
Mr. Bruno Jaspaert, Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam - Focus on Vietnam's Geopolitics and EuroCham's Key Advocacy Priorities for 2025

Followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with the audience.

Fee:

+ GBA Members: Early bird*: VND 950,000 | Normal: VND 1,150,000

+ Non-members: Early bird*: VND 1,700,000 | Normal: VND 1,900,000

(*) Binding registration and payment for early bird tickets shall be made before COB, Wednesday, April 9.

Should you have any questions, please contact us at <email> or tel. <+84 28 3823 9772>

We look forward to your participation in this insightful discussion!

Speakers

Bruno Jaspaert

Chairman at EuroCham Vietnam

Dr. Josefine Wallat

Consul General at Federal Republic of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City

Mark Gillin

Chairman at AmCham Vietnam

Erick Contreras

GBA EuroCham Delegate/ Managing Director of BASF Vietnam

Born in Berlin, Dr. Josefine Wallat is currently serving as the Consul General of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City. Her distinguished career in diplomacy began in 2001 when she joined the German Foreign Office and Diplomatic Academy.

From 2016 to 2019, she was elected as the Head of the Staff Council at the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin. Prior to this, she served as the Deputy Head of Section for Northern Europe/UK from 2013 to 2016. Between 2010 and 2013, she led the Cultural Department at the German Embassy in Prague.

Her earlier roles include serving as the Consul in the Economic Section at the Consulate-General in Shanghai from 2006 to 2010, and as a member of the Policy Planning Staff of the German Foreign Office in Berlin from 2004 to 2006. She also worked as a Desk Officer at the Section for Central Eastern Europe from 2002 to 2004.

Academically, Dr. Wallat was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, earning her M.Phil. and D.Phil. in International Relations. She holds a Master's in Political Science from the Free University Berlin and worked in the Foreign Policy Department at the Office of the President of the Czech Republic (1995-1997).

Mark Gillin has been identifying, developing and investing in business opportunities in Vietnam since 1993.

He is a founder and chairman of America Indochina Management Ltd. (AIM). Founded in 1993, AIM is one of the oldest American-owned companies in Vietnam. It has built and invested in market-leading businesses in a variety of sectors covering construction, furniture, healthcare, education, ecommerce, and hospitality.

Mark is a founding member of AmCham Vietnam. He has served 13 years as Governor, including two years as Chairman, three as Vice Chairman and one as Secretary. He provided input for the US-VN Bi-lateral Trade Agreement; the WTO agreement and the Transpacific Partnership (TPP). Committee and was Co-Chair of the VBF Tax and Customs Working Group.

He served as non-executive board member of Navigos/Vietnamworks, AA Corporation, Japan Medical Corporation, and Indochina Assets Limited. He graduated with honors from Duke University with a BA in Policy Studies.

Mr. Erick Contreras is a seasoned executive with 27 years of experience in business management and operations across the chemicals, materials, and oil and gas industries in Asia. He is currently Co-Chair of EuroCham’s Green Growth Sector Committee and has actively advocated for sustainable practices in Vietnam. Erick also represents EuroCham in the Vietnam Business Forum’s Environment Working Group and has served on various advisory boards.

He holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of the Philippines and an MBA from the University of Manchester, along with being a Registered Financial Planner in the Philippines.

Erick is motivated to leverage his expertise, network, and leadership in advocating for the growth of GBA’s member companies, while fostering collaborations with business and government entities for mutual benefit.

GBA Member

Early-bird price offer for GBA members (SME: max. 2 participants | LE: max. 4 participants). Note: Additional participants will be charged at the Normal price (VND 1,150,000/pax)

Standard Price₫1,150,000

Non-member

Standard Price₫1,900,000

GBA Corporate Partners

Each GBA Corporate Partner will get complimentary tickets of the GBA Monthly Business Meetings
- Platinum Corporate Partner: maximum 4 tickets
- Gold Corporate Partner: maximum 2 tickets
- Silver Corporate Partner: maximum 1 ticket
- Premium Service Partner: maximum 2 tickets

Standard PriceComplimentary

Agenda

April 14, 2025

Main Schedule

17:30 - 18:15

Registration & Welcome Drink

18:15 - 18:30

Welcome Remarks

Opening & Introducing New Members
Updates on GBA Activities

18:30 - 20:00

Presentations

20:00 - 20:15

Podium Discussion with Q&A

20:15 - 21:30

Dinner & Networking

German Business Association (GBA)

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