Approving Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for Vietnam received the strong support of US business circles in Ho Chi Minh City, of whom, Walter Blocker, Chairman of the AmCham in HCMC and Managing Director of Gannon Vietnam Limited has made great contributions.
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| Mr. Walter Blocker |
Approving Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for Vietnam received the strong support of US business circles in Ho Chi Minh City, of whom, Walter Blocker, Chairman of the AmCham in HCMC and Managing Director of Gannon Vietnam Limited has made great contributions. Walter has also played an significant role in success of the investment promotion visit to the US.
Gannon Vietnam has a food processing factory in Amata industrial park and is planning to build a $700-million 600 MW gas-fuelled power plant in Nhon Trach district, Dong Nai province.
Walter Blocker, 38 years old, has conducted business in Vietnam since 1990. Walter has been a pioneer in retail whose list of products include cosmetic products like L’Oreal & Maybeline, and food products. He also provides logistic services like transport, distribution and storage and also owns a full service property management company currently offering to international companies such as Eastman Chemicl, Rohm& Haas, & BF Goodrich. Gannon Vietnam is among the largest logistic service providers in Vietnam. In September 2001, Walter invested to build a factory manufacturing soft drink or fruit syrups. In 2003, sterilized fresh milk, fruit drink, soy-bean milk and tea bags were provided to the Vietnamese market. Walter is going to launch a new brand of butter and milk onto the Cambodian market. He has gained success in doing business in Vietnam. In addition, he has also played an active role in marketing the image of Vietnam to other US businesses over the past more than ten years. Dong Nai’s reporter had an interview with Walter Blocker.
Q: Thanks to efforts of both sides and strong support of US business circles including yourself, Vietnam has become member of the WTO and the US Congress has approved PNTR status for Vietnam. WTO membership will open new opportunities for Vietnam, please let us know what are Gannon’s plans for the future?
A: Gannon will mainly focus on investing in the energy infrastructure in Dong Nai province. A 600-megawatt gas-fueled power plant project plans to be located in Ong Keo IP in Nhon Trach district. This plant will supply electricity for enterprises located in the industrial parks of Dong Nai province. The province will attract more quality projects from home and abroad, creating new jobs if it further improves the infrastructure, helping make Dong Nai a more attractive destination for FDI.
Q: As a foreign business person with a long time to do business in Vietnam, what do you forecast about a new wave of investment from US companies to Vietnam in coming years?
A: Vietnam’s WTO entry with its transparent business environment makes the country more attractive destination for US investment. The US investors are interested in investing in the country where they can predict risks. Vietnam should further improve the infrastructure, especially roads, ports and power in order to meet the demands of investors in coming years.
Q: According to you, what are the major challenges Vietnam face today and how to do to cope with challenges and take new opportunities?
A: Vietnam has achieved its success in FDI attraction and the country is opening further its market to trade and investment. All these things help the country fully attain its goal of becoming an industrialized country before 2020. The government and private associations will play a key role, not only in developing the infrastructure but also in building the confident, flexible and skilled workforce for the future.
Q: Have you ever enjoy Tet holiday in Vietnam?
A: My wife is Hanoian women so I annually celebrate Tet with her family.
Q: It is very interesting. What do you do during Tet holiday?
A: We eat the special meals and spend two days to visit my wifes relatives. I like to eat Nem and Canh Mang (bamboo shoot soup) prepared by my wifes mother. I like to taste lotus scented tea in the cold afternoons. We usually eat an American style meal at my wife’s parents on the Lunar New Years Eve and I always bring American style baked beef to my home. Generally, it is very wonderful.
Reported by K.L
