Virtual Event: “Vietnam’s Role in Building Resilient Global Supply Chains: Short-Term and Long-Term Challenges”

Aug 5, 2021 5:45 PM - 7:30 PM Webinar Event Level Rating: IV

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REGISTRATION GUIDELINE

Virtual participation only. Please register to receive the Zoom link.

Event Description

A close friend and partner of the United States, Vietnam plays an increasingly important role in strengthening diverse and secure global supply chains. With its strategic location, relatively low-cost, young, and tech-savvy workforce; welcome approach to export-oriented FDI, and broad network of free trade agreements, the country has become a top destination for global manufacturing, as firms seek to increase supply chain resilience and decrease reliance on China. But Vietnam faces significant challenges in both the short- and long-term. Long heralded as a COVID-19 success story, Vietnam now faces its most serious outbreak to date. This outbreak has disrupted business operations and supply chains for a wide range of critical goods, including semiconductors, hi-tech machinery, and medical devices. It has also disrupted supply chains for a wide range of consumer products now manufactured in Vietnam, including footwear, apparel, and furniture, which could result in shortages and price increases for American workers. Longer-term, Vietnam must significantly increase local content and value-added activity to ensure its role in diverse, secure, and resilient supply chains for the United States and globally. This virtual event will explore both challenges and opportunities, with a focus on private-sector perspectives.

AGENDA

5:45 PM	Check-in for virtual guests
6:00 PM	Welcome remarks by Charge D’Affaires (Acting Ambassador) Chris Klein
6:05 PM	Panel Discussion and Q&A
7:30 PM	Event ends

COST

SPEAKERS

Christopher Klein

Chargé d’Affaires

U.S. Embassy Hanoi

Christopher Klein is the Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of U.S. Embassy Hanoi.  He entered the Foreign Service in 1998.  He served as Deputy Executive Secretary in the State Department from 2017-2019.  His previous Washington assignments included Deputy Director of the Office of China and Mongolia Affairs and Special Assistant in the Bureau of East Asia-Pacific Affairs.  He served twice at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York – first as Staff Assistant and Political Officer early in his career, then as Political Minister-Counselor from 2013-2017.  His overseas assignments included the U.S. Embassies in Paris, Baghdad, Beijing, and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.  Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was a journalist; his work appeared in The Moscow Times, New York Newsday, and The National Law Journal.  He graduated from San Francisco State University and the National War College.

Matt Murray

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Trade Policy and Negotiations

Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs

Matt Murray joined the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Trade Policy and Negotiations in September 2020. In that capacity, he leads four offices that oversee the State Department’s engagement to open new markets, resolve trade disputes, protect intellectual property rights, and promote agricultural innovation to benefit all Americans.

Prior to this assignment, he was the Economic Minister Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China. He also has served as Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia.

Matt previously worked in Washington, DC, as Director of the 24/7 Watch in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research and as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. His earlier overseas postings included assignments in Shanghai, Beijing, Dar es Salaam, and New Delhi.

Matt joined the Foreign Service in 1998 and is a member of the Senior Foreign Service.

He has master’s degrees from the U.S. Army War College and the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.

Kim Huat Ooi

Vice President, Manufacturing and Operations General Manager

Intel Products Vietnam

Kim Huat (KH) Ooi is Vice President in Manufacturing and Operations and General Manager of Intel Products Vietnam (IPV). As the General Manager, KH sets the vision for Intel Products Vietnam and drives Intel’s long-term business interests in Vietnam. His responsibilities include overseeing factory operations and employee relations; enriching the Intel image and brand; building strategic relationships with communities, media, governments, and local authorities; and working with the industry ecosystem, government, and society. KH has 34 years of industry experience in semiconductor engineering and manufacturing operations, and most recently held the role of general manager of Penang (Malaysia) Assembly and Test Operations at Intel. Apart from Intel, KH has also worked briefly at Broadcom Inc. as VP of worldwide quality and as COO of Globetronics, Malaysia. Earlier in his Intel career, KH spent six years as a factory manager responsible for operational performance for Intel Atom SoC, networking and communications and chipset products. He also held various roles responsible for manufacturing quality and has earned two Intel Achievement Awards in his career, the first related to processor platform validation on the Intel Pentium® processor, and the second for his contributions to lead-free manufacturing systems.KH holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Kheng Joo Ung

Managing Director

First Solar Vietnam Manufacturing

As head of First Solar’s $1 billion facility in Ho Chi Minh City making advanced thin film PV modules that do not rely on Chinese polysilicon, KJ can discuss Vietnam’s role in First Solar’s broader strategy to mitigate supply chain related risks as the one and only US company remains in the global top PV manufacturers list, and COVID-related challenges.

Soren Schouw Pedersen

Vice President

SSA Marine, Seattle USA

Soren Pedersen is a Danish national and has worked in Asia for more than twenty five years. He is the head of SSA Marine regional activities. SSA is an international port operator headquartered in Seattle, USA. The company is active in more than 250 locations across five continents. SSA’s activities span cruises, bulk, and container handling.

Here in Vietnam, SSA owns and operates two seaport joint ventures employing about 400 staff. Our port facilities in Cai Lan (Ha Long) and Cai Mep (Vung Tau) are equipped with the most modern and technically advanced cargo handling machinery available. Both terminals are deep water facilities capable of accommodating the largest cargo and cruise ships.

Maritime transport is essential to the world’s economy as over 90% of the world’s trade is carried by sea. Ships need effective port facilities to load and off load cargoes. SSA Marine is among the world’s largest privately held port operators.

MODERATOR

Mary Tarnowka

Executive Director

AmCham Vietnam

Mary Tarnowka joined AmCham Vietnam as Executive Director in August 2019. She continues to carry out AmCham’s long-term mission to strengthen the U.S.-Vietnam trade and investment partnership and serve as the “voice of American business” in Vietnam, established when it was founded informally just after the trade embargo was lifted in 1994. Under her leadership, AmCham Vietnam has been revitalized. It is one of the largest, diverse, and inclusive foreign business associations in Vietnam. Its network of active committees and extensive range of events provide members valuable opportunities for professional networking, business intelligence, advocacy, and business promotion. AmCham strives to be the most strategic and influential business association in Vietnam – that drives innovation and sustainable growth and helps its members succeed. A community you want to join!

Mary is an international trade and economic expert with decades of experience managing organizations and policy advocacy in Asia. Prior to joining AmCham, Mary served as the U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City. As a career diplomat and member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mary has served throughout the Indo-Pacific region, 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. Before joining the State Department, Mary worked as a CPA and Tax Manager at KPMG’s San Francisco Office. Mary also serves as a Director on the Board of VinaCapital GS Energy.