Vo Nguyen Khanh Nha
Business Development Director, SSA Marine
As a Vietnamese national I have witnessed my country’s transformative journey through partnerships with developed economies since 1994. I’m in charge of business development for SSA in Vietnam and serve as a member of the board at two local joint venture ports.
SSA Marine is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, USA. We own and operate marine port facilities. About 90 % of global trade is transported by sea making ports critical infrastructure. SSA operates in about 250 locations worldwide and we are the largest US company in this industry. Our marine terminals handle about 30 million containers per year placing SSA center stage vis-à-vis international supply chains connecting global trade and commerce.
Prior to my current role, I gathered years of experience in development and policy advocacy, collaborating closely with GTZ and relevant ministries in Hanoi. This background has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of policy formulation and the ability to effect positive change. Additionally, I hold a master’s degree in development planning from the University of Queensland, Australia.
Statement of Interest/Vision
In 2022 Vietnam’s exports to the United States grew by 2.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). This represents a 12% year-on-year increase placing Vietnam in 2nd place among Asia countries trading with the US. Only China with 11.7 million TEU exceeded Vietnam’s total. The United States stands as Vietnam’s largest export market in terms of value, with a total worth of US$109.38 billion.
With a strong commitment to fostering the smooth and efficient flow of trade between Vietnam and the United States, my primary objective in joining the Amcham Board is to contribute to this endeavor.
A key project I am involved with is the Cai Mep Ha Logistics Center. The USD 6.7 billion project including a large industrial zone with an accompanying deep seaport. The project was mentioned in the White House’s Fact Sheet issued in connection with President Biden’s recent visit to Vietnam. It is our hope such an undertaking can help support Vietnam’s supply chain role and facilitate bilateral trade between our two countries for the foreseeable future.