Tập đoàn ASV Holdings

ASV Holdings is widely known for aquaculture and import and export of aquatic products. Is this field a priority of ASV Holdings in investment cooperation in Myanmar?

Personally, I find this trip in Myanmar indeed very meaningful because it opened many opportunities of bilateral investment cooperation for companies of both nations. We have a great luck and honour to be known as a leading aquatic production, export and import company by prime ministers of the two countries. Actually, our group is very keen on cooperation with Myanmar in this field. Moreover, with our research, we found out that the environment in Myanmar was protected very well. The nature was almost untouched and the environment was very suitable for aquaculture. Meanwhile, culturing techniques and experience of Myanmar people were still very weak. So, ASV Holdings did not hesitate to transfer culturing technologies and provide aquatic species for Myanmar. Our group is strong at researching and supplying cold water fish and seafood. Particularly, we have experts from the Academy of Russia and Ukraine. In the past nearly seven years, we have studied and introduced best aquatic species for the Vietnamese and Myanmar environments. As a result, we are confident about this investment.

ASV Holdings has done business in Myanmar for quite a long time. So, what is the next step of your group?

Indeed, ASV Holdings started doing business in Myanmar for a long time ago and we focused on energy sector, fisheries, electronics, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. But, it is our great luck to accompany Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during the Myanmar visit as achievements of this tour are enormous. At the high-ranking official meeting and especially at the witness of the prime ministers of the two countries, ASV Holdings signed two memorandums of understanding with the Myanmar Fisheries Association to seize nine islands, 2,000 hectares of water surface for culturing aquatic species and take the right to catch tuna in Myanmar. We coordinated with Pale Nadi Company of Myanmar, invest and exploit seafood and develop tourism on three islands and 5,000 hectares of lake water surface in Myanmar. Besides, ASV Holdings was approved by the Government of Myanmar to explore and produce oil and gas in Myanmar and the group was licensed to explore five blocks of M15, M16, M17, M18 and A5, offshore southern Myanmar.

Oil and gas exploration and production require high technologies. Could you introduce your group’s competencies for this field?

To be approved of this investment, we had to experience many in-depth tests from the two governments. ASV Holdings has long cooperated with Russia's Soges Group, a specialist in oil and gas exploration and production. With financial force and rich experience of Soges, we are absolutely confident about our future success.

Also during the Myanmar visit of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the Vietnamese Investors Association was founded and you were rated a very active member. How will the association help Vietnamese investors do business in Myanmar with highest efficiency?

Like other companies, we need to share experience and consolidate unity to secure success. Hence, in my opinion, the birth of the Vietnam Investors Association in Myanmar will create a rendez vous for all companies to share. The association will be the bridge for new Vietnamese companies to reach Myanmar. What's more, the two countries are consolidating a reliable partnership. Vietnam and Myanmar has already formed good relations but to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship, Vietnamese companies in Myanmar must be very serious and transparent and operate for the purpose of mutual benefit. And, to achieve this, the role of the association is enormous.

It is said that Myanmar is the only forgotten fertile land in the ASEAN. However, investment activities are rather difficult due to cumbersome administrative procedures to be completed. With your rich experience in doing business in Myanmar, what do you think about this idea?

I do not agree with this idea because, as I said above, Myanmar is a beautiful country with great potential where 98% of the population are Buddhist followers who are very honest, friendly and gentle. But, this does not mean this is a ‘fertile land” to tap. I also know the reason for the complex administrative procedure in Myanmar where the Government attaches much importance to environmental protection, synchronous development and long-vision development. Thus, the procedure is a challenge for investor and of course companies wanting to do business in Myanmar must study thoroughly and prepare carefully.

Thankyou very much!

 Anh Hoa – Minh Đan