Investing in Manufacturing Supply Chains in Vietnam: Enabling Ethical Supply Chain Practices In Vietnam

March 11, 2021 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM InterContinental Saigon Event Level Rating: II*

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Organizers

Event Description

Join us in person or virtually to learn how MNCs can develop ethical supply chains in Vietnam, as well as how Vietnamese SMEs can be part of global ethical supply chains. U.S. Consul General Marie Damour will deliver opening remarks, and a panel of global and local experts along the value chain will share insights, lessons learned, and best practices to enable ethical supply chains in Vietnam.

Vietnam has become a top destination for investment in manufacturing, as global companies seek to diversify their supply chains, to decrease reliance on China and increase supply chain resiliency and connectivity. Vietnam’s strategic geographic location near supplier and consumer markets; relatively low cost, young, tech-savvy workforce; stable government; welcome approach to Foreign Direct Investment; as well as its integrated network of Free Trade Agreements, now including the CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP, are all factors in its success. Vietnam’s effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic gives it an extra advantage, as does its domestic market of 97 million, with a growing middle class.

As multinational companies evaluate where to invest, one of the key factors considered is where they can maintain ethical supply chain practices, both to meet increased regulatory requirements in export-country destinations, as well as to align with corporate values and shareholder concerns. Ethical supply chain requirements include transparency and adherence to international labor and environmental standards, as well as the ability to combat human trafficking and ensure ethical sourcing of raw materials. The proven track record of long-term MNCs who have invested in Vietnam, as well as Vietnam’s own commitments to world-class environmental and labor standards in the CPTPP and EVFTA, increase Vietnam’s competitive advantage for investment in Ethical Supply Chains.

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER & PANELISTS

Marie C. Damour

U.S. Consul General

Marie C. Damour is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, having joined the State Department in 1993, and is assigned to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam as Consul General beginning in August 2019. She has previously served as Director in the Office of Maritime Southeast Asia in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, as well as in the Office of Policy Coordination and Public Affairs in the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Previous overseas assignments include Deputy Chief of Mission in Wellington, New Zealand; Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs in Brasilia, Brazil; and Chief of Visa Services at the U.S. Embassy in London. She has also served domestically as Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary, as well as Consular Chief overseas in Iraq, Vietnam, and Mauritania. Ms. Damour is a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia; she speaks French, Portuguese, and Vietnamese.

Mark Neuman (Virtual)

Global Trade Advisor

MGF Sourcing

Since 1993, Mark Neuman has served as advisor to Fortune 150 companies, domestic US manufacturers, global contract manufacturers for global fashion retail brands, government officials, private equity firms and family offices. In that capacity, he advises leaders on issues related to sourcing, country risk, reputation capital, and market entry/investment strategy. Mark is recognized as an expert on international trade policy development, forecasting, and compliance. He was a long-time advisor to the late Martin Trust, the founder of Mast Industries and widely recognized as the father of “speed sourcing” in the global fashion industry. Mark was appointed to the Cotton Board by four different Secretaries of Agriculture, under three US Presidents for a total of 21 years, serving on the Board’s Executive Committee for over a decade and as chairman of Research & Development Committee. In addition, Mark was extensively involved in the lengthy process that led to normalization of trade relations between the United States and Vietnam, culminating with Vietnam’s accession into the World Trade Organization. When Mark first started encouraging global fashion brands to migrate production from China to Vietnam in 1998, the volume of apparel exports from Vietnam to the US was under $50 million. Today, Vietnam is the #2 source of apparel imports to the USA — about $13 billion — more than double the #3 supplier. Mark earned a B.A. degree in Economics from the University of Illinois, and selected as the recipient of the 2011 University of Illinois LAS Alumni (Humanitarian) Achievement Award in recognition for his work promoting trade and investment in the poorest African countries. He is the author of the book “The University of Illinois honors a fallen Soldier.” Mark is a proud “Townie” and native of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Virginia Rollando (Virtual)

Sustainability Project Manager

Saitex International

Virginia Rollando is the Sustainability Project Manager for Saitex, a Vietnam-based, B-Corp certified garment manufacturer internationally known for its environmentally and ethically conscious production. At Saitex, Virginia led the formation of Rekut, a social enterprise that is part of the company’s Diversity & Inclusion strategy, and employs differently-abled people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the production line. In 2020 Saitex and Rekut won the Diversity & Inclusion Award, given by the Reuters Responsible Business Awards to a “project or initiative that has best demonstrated measurable impact and investment in diversity strategy from the boardroom to middle management to new recruits.” Her environmental analysis led Saitex to collaborate with a local NGO to plant 84 hectares of mangroves and endangered forest to offset carbon and support rural communities, part of the company’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025. Virginia graduated from Cambridge University with both Bachelor and Master of Manufacturing Engineering and Management degrees, specializing in Sustainable Fashion. Her aim is to contribute to positive changes in the world through sustainable manufacturing and ethical employment.

Viet Tran (Virtual)

General Director

Doximex

Viet Tran is the General Director of Dong Xuan Knitting Company, or Doximex. The company was founded in 1959 and produces high quality, knit garments in its four workshops for export all over the world. Prior to joining Doximex, Viet worked as the Director for Legal and Secretarial Affairs at VINATEX, and the Commercial Attaché for the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, DC. Viet has a Bachelor of Arts in International Economics from the Institute for International Relations in Hanoi, and a Master of Arts in Politics of International Resources and Development from the University of Leeds, UK.

Andrew Lien

VP & GD of Asia Manufacturing

Wanek Furniture

Andrew is the Vice President of Asia operations for Wanek Furniture Company and subsidiaries. Wanek Furniture started operations in 2008 and has since grown to be the largest furniture manufacturer in Vietnam. Wanek is currently exporting products sold in 20,000 storefronts, and 155 countries around the world. Prior to moving to Vietnam, Andrew spent 17 years working for Ashley Furniture in the United States, giving him a total of 22 years of experience in managing manufacturing global supply chains.

John Vu

Business Operations Manager

Matera Alliance, Inc

John Vu is the Business Operations Manager for Matera Alliance, Inc., subsidiary of Pacific Links Foundation that specializes in workforce development solutions. In his role, he manages the implementation of Factory Awareness to Counter Trafficking (FACT) trainings to raise awareness of human trafficking and forced labor in global supply chains in Vietnam. Prior to Matera Alliance, he was a Communications Consultant at IOM X, the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) campaign to encourage safe migration and public action to prevent human trafficking.

MODERATORS

Mary Tarnowka

Executive Director

AmCham Vietnam

Mary Tarnowka serves as the Executive Director of AmCham Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

Prior to her time with AmCham Vietnam, Mary worked extensively to help U.S. businesses thrive in Asia. As U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City from August 2016 to July 2019, she oversaw a period of tremendous growth in the U.S. comprehensive partnership, including two unprecedented visits by a U.S. president to Vietnam in 18 months. Mary actively promoted mutual peace, prosperity, and people-to-people ties in central and southern Vietnam. She particularly focused on strengthening the bilateral trade and investment partnership in the dynamic southern region.

Mary was a member of the senior Foreign Service, with decades of experience in Asia, including postings in Seoul, Delhi, Shanghai, and Taipei, as well as at the State Department’s China Desk and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Prior to joining the State Department, Mary worked as a Certified Public Accountant and Manager at KPMG’s International and High Tech Tax Division in San Francisco.

Mimi Vu

Partner

Raise Partners

Mimi Vu is partner at Raise Partners, a consulting practice that helps nonprofits, philanthropists, corporations, and governments work in partnership to achieve their highest social and environmental impact. She has 20 years of nonprofit experience in communications, policy, fundraising, program development, and advocacy for organizations including Pacific Links Foundation, VinaCapital Foundation, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Her areas of expertise include: Human trafficking, modern slavery, and irregular migration; gender equality; public health; law enforcement training; ethical supply chains; corporate social responsibility and citizenship; NGO/NPO capacity building; and diaspora engagement. Mimi is considered one of the world’s leading experts on Vietnamese trafficking and modern slavery and provides commentary for media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Guardian, BBC, Le Monde, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Vice News, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, South China Morning Post, ITV News, and Sky News. In 2017 she was recognized by The Evening Standard (UK) as one of their “Anti-Slavery Heroes.” Mimi has undergraduate degrees in English Literature and French from the University of Michigan, and a MPA in International Policy from New York University. She is a native of Flint, Michigan, USA and has been based in Vietnam since 2006.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

4:15pm – 4:30pm	Registration
4:30pm – 4:35pm	MC Welcome
4:35pm – 4:40pm	Opening remarks – U.S. Consul General Marie Damour
4:40pm – 4:45pm	Introduction of Speakers
4:45pm – 5:30pm	Panel discussion
5:30pm – 6:00pm	Q&A
6:00pm – 7:30pm	Networking reception (for in-person participants)

Investing in Manufacturing Supply Chains in Vietnam: Enabling Ethical Supply Chain Practices In Vietnam

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Investing in Manufacturing Supply Chains in Vietnam: Enabling Ethical Supply Chain Practices In Vietnam

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