Ansoff And Sfa Evaluation Management Essay

Ansoff And Sfa Evaluation Management Essay GM could use product development to improve revenue on a number of brands. However GM must work to drive down costs. Using Porters (1984) cost based generic strategy. It shows reducing costs can also create a competitive advantage. If costs are lowered and price is kept relatively similar this will improve profits (Hines, 2004). This could be seen as a suitable and acceptable option. However how could the costs be reduced? Many suppliers are suffering similar problems from the recession. One strategy would be too merge or acquire existing suppliers, a method of external development (White, 2004), which would reduce costs, improve core competencies and could even lead to technological development. However is this feasible? The strategy has risk, as this may not necessarily reduce costs or improve profits therefore it is not totally acceptable. GM should continue operating in Europe for the foreseeable future. They have changed the business strategy to focus on becoming leaner and developing core brands, while investing considerably in diversification (Sunderland, 2009). This is the best strategic option open to GM however it must be managed well. Applying it to the main success criteria can highlight how this is the best action (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, 2007): Suitability This strategy addresses the position of GM. Outlined within the SWOT analysis was the need for product development and the introduction of smaller car ranges. GM have already committed to investing if it gets new products into the market faster (Vlasic, 2009). Additionally McAlister (2009), states that GM are already working on new products that they can continue building within the UK plants beyond 2013. An identified strength was its large supply and distribution network therefore using this core competency it can implement new product ranges. If a competitive advantage is gained then it can use the European market as an additional sales environment. Although Yip (2003) states global strategies can have different driving forces, competencies can still be applied if GM understands the local cultures (Lynch, 2003). Staying in Europe is a logical step. To withdraw now could lead to larger costs in the future, such as re-entry into the market as sales in this area cannot be ignored. Ec onomies of scale exist such as an extensive knowledge through suppliers etc so risk would be low for the implementation of any new strategies. Feasibility GM are a global organisation, they have an existing network of both tangible and intangible resources. However significant investment is needed in RD, which could be attained through selling underperforming brands, although as mentioned GM are willing to commit to this aspect. There are no significant issues of time scale but change is not always immediate. For this strategy to work the rate of change must be quick (Johnson et al, 2007) and adopting a new culture is the priority so the management and workforce must show commitment. This could be difficult as the previous culture was slow to react and very bureaucratic (Maynard, 2009). In the future resources may be needed within Europe and by opting to stay GM will have greater access, making the option more feasible. Acceptability A number of stakeholders benefit from this strategy. They government expect GM to keep sales high in order to pay back their debts and this can be achieved more efficiently by existing in a larger market. GM advised there will be a number of job losses, helping towards their restructure and reduction of wages (BBC, 2009). Additionally GM has made the correct decision ethically. This business is vital for a number of industries and therefore helps towards employment so withdrawing from Europe could have a huge effect on suppliers, distributors etc. Finally GM has also made the best decision for their owners. Staying in this market will increase sales and further product development could help sustain a competitive advantage. Although diversification failed in 2004 (Vlasic, 2009) with the mass produced but under marketed EV1 range (Vlasic, 2009), it is possible with the correct investment and understanding it can be a success. Although as outlined above this is the best strategy available to GM, focus must be placed on developing new technology. Bowmans strategy clock (appendix 12) shows that offering differentiated products at a market average price can lead to increased sales through high perceived service benefits (Wheelen and Hunger, 2008). If GM were to market any new technology at a high price it could lead to strategy failure as these products may already exist. In comparison if GM introduces similar products at a lower price it could create an immediate and sustainable competitive advantage. Example 2 Ansoff Matrix, proposed by Igor ansoff, used to classify and explain 4 strategies for business growth. For the case studied, GM opted for consolidation and market penetration. GM uses consolidation strategy (Ansoff) to increase sales without drifting from its original product, we speak of market strategy. GM wants to penetrate this market by improving product quality and provide a real service to these customers. To achieve its goal, GM spends large sums of money in marketing and communication, like advertising for example. This strategy is important for GM because retaining existing customers is cheaper than attracting new customers. It therefore decided to keep five brands already in its possession. Yet, GM is moving beyond its customer base to attract new customers for its existing products. This strategy often involves the sale of existing products into new international markets. For example, the new GM wants to expand its market share thanks to the demand emerging countries like Brazil, China, and India. Indeed, these countries are expanding and it is a growing market for years in the motor industry. Evaluation of the strategies To evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy of the new GM, the SFA (Suitability, Feasibility and acceptability) is an important tool. This theory presented by Johnson, Scholes and Whittington (seventh edition, p. 371, 2005) may help us to analyze the potential of the strategy. The suitability of this strategy is well. The old GM was producing big cars and consumed a lot. They were not economic and do not respect the environment. Thus, the American manufacturer has seen its sales fall in recent years. In addition, the feasibility of this option is good. The new GM has a lot of knowledge and an impressive physical capital. GM already knows the brands it represents. In addition, engineers are working continuously to develop more economical cars. There is a university in the company to provide access to information. Moreover, GM today focuses on 5 brands instead of 11; it can devote a largest share of investment in the RD sector. To finish, GM has received some aids. To finish, the acceptability of this strategy is good. GM is supported by many governments and organizations (for the development of new energy) for its restructuring. It receives financial aid. The US government spends money for GM restructuration, in return GM has to develop clean cars. Personally, I chose the same option as it is obvious that the Old GM had a wide range of products. But they do not come up to consumers expectations. In addition, I took the risk to launch the company into emerging market because there is great potential in sales. Thus, I proposed new models for this market and even open factories, specifically to come up to consumers expectation. Example 3 Identification and Evaluation of Strategy Product development and related diversification (Ansoff, 1988) Mc Afees software will provide Intels chips with hardware-enhancing security (Takahashi, 2010) which leads to a competitive advantage. This strategy is classified as product development since Intel delivers a technologically modified product to its existing market (Johnson, Scholes Whittington, 2008). As Mc Afee remains an independently run security company which stays in its market (BBC News, 2010) it is regarded as one key player in the emerging market of cloud computing (Takahashi, 2010). This vertical integration enables Intel to expand to new markets, diversify the risk through a broader product portfolio and enhance its growth perspectives. Therefore Intel follows the strategy of a related diversification (Johnson et al, 2008). Suitability The strategic directions are suitable as long as they address the key issues identified previously (Johnson et al, 2008). As Intels current market is almost stagnating, the strategic direction should enable long-term growth. Moreover it should incorporate the knowledge of consumer and technological trends in mobile computing. With the acquisition of McAfee, Intel addresses the trend for security and energy efficiency in chips. Moreover they react to the saturated market of PCs as McAfee is expected to be a key player in the growing market of cloud computing (Takahashi, 2010). Another issue arises from anti-trust regulations which prevent Intel from acquiring competitors. A vertical integration does not violate any laws while it enables Intel to enhance its growth perspectives in new markets (diversification). Feasibility Intels strength to finance their investments from their operating profit supports the financial feasibility of the acquisition strategy. Intels healthy financial position allows the company to exploit RD to integrate McAfees security software in their chips. Moreover they gained much experience with MA initiatives from the past (Intel, 2010). This implies that they have strong resources and competences in place which enhance the strategys effectiveness. Acceptability The acquisition was decided unanimously by the both boards. However, falling stock prices of Intel (Appendix 6) reflect suspicious shareholders (Hardawar, 2010). A possible reason for mistrust is seen in a lack of understanding of the gains in comparison to the immense acquisition costs. Intel argues that the financial position justifies the $7.68bn acquisition (BBC News, 2010) which is supported by the assumption to regenerate the $5 billion cash spend for the acquisition in less than a year (Hardawar, 2010). However, the deal may help Intel to gain wider long-term profit margins which reflects a higher shareholder value (King, 2010). Since the acquisition enhanced Intels vertical integration focus and does not place any threat towards anti-trust violations, there is no risk incorporated with governmental intervention (Hardawar, 2010).

Emerging Nokia Essay

1. What strategy would you recommend for Nokia going forward? Please develop a complete strategy that addresses the following issues: Choice of scope: does it make sense for Nokia to be in both emerging and developed markets, or should they choose not to play in certain markets? How integrated should it be into manufacturing, services (apps), software development, sales, etc? Answer1: Choice of scope: With dwindling sales in developed countries like USA, UK, Germany, Russia and Italy and even in emerging markets like India, Indonesia and Brazil (as per Exhibit 1) despite previously having a stronghold, Nokia now had to decide if it should continue its focus on emerging markets or attempt to salvage the sales even in the developed markets. Status in developed markets: 1. The operators usually have more power but this was changing since the emergence of iPhone. It is a replacement market with users looking for up gradation 2. Competition- Growing competition from companies like Motorola, Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson. The RIM‘s launch of Blackberry(2002) and Apple’s iPhone (2007) was a further set back 3. New Operating System- Emergence of new user friendly operating systems such as Google‘s Android and Microsoft’s Windows mobile further put Nokia on the back foot 4. Inability to understand demand- Nokia failed to identify the growing consumer need for touch screen phones 5. Target – Nokia operated at all price points where as competitors like Apple (high-end segment) and Samsung( mid and high end segment) had a clearly drawn up strategy Slowdown in some emerging markets: 1. Reverse bundling allows the manufacturer to wield more power than the operator 2. There is lower cost of production which helps produce inspirational products at low rates 3. The growing competition from companies like Samsung that were offering the latest technology at competitive prices 4. Therefore, Nokia lost out on the middle and high segment but continued to grow in the low-end mobile segment as it had identified the gaps in emerging markets and customized services to suit the local consumers Nokia must recognize the difference in the different market  segments and take the challenges head on to be able to operate in both markets. It must clearly identify the segments it wants to operate in and also change its positioning based on the data below. Data from Exhibit 11: Percentage of phone sales by segment Emerging Markets Developed Countries Mid East AP w/o Japan Latin America E. Europe Japan W. Europe North America Basic 41% 43% 20% 34% 0% 4% 8% Enhanced 40% 44% 58% 45% 32% 29% 43% Smart Phones- E. level 10% 7% 12% 10% 6% 34% 8% Smart phone- Feature 10% 6% 9% 11% 62% 33% 41% Penetration 58% 45.50% 80.30% 127.50% 86.60% 122.90% 84.90% Nokia Market Share 61.40% 42.30% 32.80% 48% 0.30% 39.40% 7.20% In emerging markets, Nokia must focus on Basic and Enhanced phones, as that is the largest segment as the market is still evolving and low cost handsets coupled with customized services will help further grow its footprint. In developed countries, Nokia should look at development of high end- high technology driven models in the Smart Phones Entry Level and Feature segment. At the same time when it comes to Japan, Nokia should look to  divest as it is largely smartphone driven market and Nokia has very little market share and does not have the requisite technology to successfully compete in that segment yet. It is essential for Nokia to follow the innovations in developed countries especially USA and adapt them to developing markets if it wants to stand up against competition in both the markets. Mobile phone industry has followed the International Product Life Cycle but now they have reached a stage where different approach is required for innovation to take place in developed and developing markets to meet their specific needs. Another key thing that Nokia must do is to reconsider its Transnational Strategy and adopt a Multi-Domestic Strategy to be able to cater to the distinctive needs of both the developed and emerging markets and to be more locally responsive. Level of Integration: Manufacturing- It should continue to be highly integrated as that is its core competency and contributed to operating profits with a CAGR of 13%. It helps in cost control especially in price-sensitive emerging markets. Operating System- Low integration. The future of Symbian isn’t very bright as competitors like Android of Google and Apple already have a lot of applications to offer on their OS. hence, it must look to finding a partner for a better OS as has been shown by its adoption of windows OS. Service (Apps) – Low integration. This can also be outsourced since it is not a core competency of Nokia and customer Value given to third party applications is on the rise (as per Exhibit 6) Sales and Distribution- Should be highly integrated as it has already developed a vast distribution and achieved great penetration in emerging markets which has been a source of higher margins by direct selling to consumers and is also a core competency. 2. What products should it offer – smart phones, low end phones, etc? Source of advantage: what will be the distinctive competitive advantage that Nokia will offer? Choice of activities: what choices should Nokia make in all its key activities, and where will it locate those activities – for eg., HR policies, manufacturing, R&D, software development, sales and marketing, etc. What is the justification for your strategy recommendation? Answer2: Addressing the consumer needs should be the strategy for Nokia in both emerging and developed market. In the emerging markets where Nokia is already a leader, it should focus on catering to the growing bottom of the pyramid consumer. The biggest advantage that Nokia offers is its reach. It should focus on its complimentary telecom industry trend, specifically in India, telecom players are involved into price war and which gave customer a higher bargaining power to switch. In such case coming up with dual sim phone would cater to the primary need of market. The applications in the phone should be in sync with local leisure such as music, newspaper and such more. Instead charging user for Life tools, revenue generation should be from advertisers. Provide time bound high end test features in low end phone during successive OS updates; this will generate user awareness and need for high end smart phone. On the other hand, in developed markets, Nokia has lost its share to other players. Customer demands smartphones with high quality user interface experience and applications and data security (RIM’s competency), Nokia need to target it. Nokia’s target should be the esteem need of user. Developing an OVI ecosystem with third party app developers, advertisers through more free and few paid applications for users. This will give Nokia a distinct advantage in the market if acted as 1st mover. More investment and development for user data security will generate trust among the users. In the mobile phone industry, the product life cycle is very short. Every year a new product is available on the shelf. Hence responsiveness to the consumer’s need is a must. Nokia failed to do that this with the clamshell model in China. By the time it came out with the product, the trend for clamshell models had faded and Nokia lost out to competition. Key advantages of Nokia a. 3 distinct operating system platforms that can offer the base for wide range of products catering to all user segments. b. Longest and complex supply chain in the world. It has the most efficient sourcing, logistics, manufacturing, and distribution of any company in the world. c. Nokia offers the OVI Store: the second largest app store in the world which is growing 70% per month as per Tero Ojanpera, Nokia’s EVP for the Services. d. With the acquisition of Navteq Corporation, it has a strong presence in the GPS  world and provides a wide range of geographic image support covering almost more than 180+ countries. e. In India. Nokia has a strong hold of rural market with their distribution system handles by HCL Info systems. In Latin America, it has a dedicated team to manage the relationship with America Movil and Telefonica and to co-ordinate sales and services across the region. Choice of activities a. HR policies should be locally controlled by subsidiaries to keep local culture intact. b. Manufacturing should be done on a global scale to utilize cost and resource arbitrage. Core product R&D should be centralized with satellite R&D in each market to add local flavor to the product. c. Software development centers have to be installed in countries like India or Philippines to utilize local talent and expertise in software development. d. Sales and marketing should be again localized. Country specific distribution channel should be adopted.

The Securities Market in Vietnam

The Securities Market in Vietnam – 14 March 2007 This article is an introduction to the legal framework that governs the securities market in Vietnam, in particular public offers, listing, public companies and buying shares. This article focuses on the provision of Law 70-2006QH11 of the National Assembly on Securities (Law 70) and Decree 14-2007-ND-CP of the Government dated 19 January 2007 Providing Detailed Regulations for Implementation of a Number of Articles of the Law on Securities (Decree 14) .The MOF is to shortly issue a regulation to further provide guidance to the SSC on regulating and establishing investment funds, securities companies and fund management companies. An update will be provided once the regulation has been promulgated. 1. 1. 1 Relevant bodies The State Securities Commission (SSC) The SSC is the official regulator of the stock exchange, and is overseen by the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The HCMC Securities Trading Centre (HCMCSTC) The HCMCSTC is an ad ministrative unit of the SSC.It is a securities trading and listing market and offers and official mechanism through which new government bonds are issued and is the secondary markets for several existing bonds. Currently, the HCMCSTC is an administrative unit under the SSC. Under Law 70 it is to covert to either a Stock Exchange or a Securities Trading Centre in the form of a limited liability company or a shareholding company by July 2008. It is expected that the HCMCSTC will be converted into a Stock Exchange. 1. 2 1. 3 The Hanoi Securities Trading Centre (HASTC) The HASTC is an administrative unit of the SSC.It is a securities trading and listing market and offers and is also Vietnam’s official over-the-counter market for securities. Under Law 70 it is to covert to either a Stock Exchange or a Securities Trading Centre in the form of a limited liability company or a shareholding company by July 2008. It is expected that the HASTC will be converted into a Securities Tradin g Centre. 2. Public offer (PO) In Vietnam the processes of a public offer (PO) and listing are different, although companies may do the two simultaneously.A PO is an offer to sell shares, bonds or fund certificates via the mass media, or to at least 100 investors excluding institutional investors or to an unspecified number of investors. 2. 1 Participants (a) The issuer or issuing organization. This is the enterprise making the PO. The securities may be listed or unlisted. Underwriters. Securities in a PO may be distributed by underwriters. Underwriters must be securities companies authorized to underwrite issues of securities or a commercial banks approved by the SSC to underwrite issues of bonds, on conditions regulated by the MOF.The role of the underwriter is to assist the issuer to complete procedures prior to the PO, to purchase the securities for resale or the unsold portion of the securities from the issuer, and to assist the issuer to distribute the securities to the public . Custodian banks. These are commercial banks that are either domestic or foreign invested (that is, not an offshore licensed bank) and are licensed to carry out securities depository activities including the keeping and maintaining of securities.  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws (b) (c) (d) Investors. Investors who wish to purchase securities may be Vietnamese or foreign investors but foreign investor must first apply for a securities trading code. Foreign investment is also subject to limitations (discussed below). 2. 2 Currency and par value Securities offered by a PO must be denominated in Vietnamese dong. The par value for shares and fund certificates is VND10,000 and the minimum par value for bonds is VND100,000. Conditions for a PO (a) Shares.An issuer of shares must be a shareholding company with paid-up capital of at least VND10 billion at the time of registration of the PO, must have made a profit in the year prior to the PO and must not have accumulated l osses as at the year of registration of the offer. The general meeting of shareholders1 of the issuer must pass an issue plan and plan for utilization of the proceeds earned. 2. 3 Under Decree 14 other specific conditions apply to newly established enterprises conducting an initial public offer if the enterprise is in the infrastructure or high-tech sectors.These conditions include the obligation for there to be an underwriter, and the obligation for there to be a bank supervising utilization of the proceeds earned from the offer. (b) Bonds. An issuer of bonds must have paid-up capital of at least VND10 billion at the time of registration of the PO, must have made a profit in the year prior to the PO, must not have accumulated losses as at the year of registration of the offer and must not have more than 100 overdue debts payable. The board of management or members’ council of the issuer (as applicable) must pass an issue plan and plan for utilization and repayment of the pro ceeds earned.The issuer of bonds must also give an undertaking to investors to discharge it obligations. In the case of convertible bonds the issue plan and plan for utilization proceeds must also have a plan for issuance of the shares for conversion and all plans must be passed by the general meeting of shareholders (not the board of management). (c) Fund Certificates. Issued fund certificates must have total value of at least VND50 billion. There must also be an issue plan and a plan for investment of the capital funds earned. 2. 4Prospectus Issuers of a PO must prepare a prospectus. The main contents for a prospectus are prescribed in Law 70 and the MOF has been delegated the task of creating a sample form prospectus. Among other things, the prospectus must include the financial statements of the issuer for the 2 years prior to the issue of the PO. The prospectus must be signed by the chairman of the board of management, the general director, the financial director/accountant (on ly in the case of shares and bonds) and the legal representative of the underwriter. . 5 Registration The issuer must register the PO with the SSC. To register, the issuer must submit a request for registration and attach those documents that are required by Law 70 (and which will be given more detail in specific regulations of the MOF). The documents required include the prospectus, the charter (or in the case of a PO of fund certificates, the proposed charter of the securities investment fund) and relevant resolutions and undertakings by the issuer. In the case of a PO for fund certificates the 1In the case of a enterprise with foreign owned capital that is converting to a shareholding company in combination with making a public offer of shares, Decree 14 clarifies that the issue plan and plan for utilization is passed by the owner of the enterprise with 100% foreign owned capital and the board of management of a joint venture enterprise. 2  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vie tnam Laws contract for supervision between the custodian bank and the securities investment fund must also be submitted. The SSC has 30 days from receipt of the registration statement to certify registration. . 6 Announcement Within 7 days from certification of registration the issuer must make a public announcement in 3 consecutive newspaper issues. The announcement must stipulate the time in which investors have to register to purchase the securities. The time limit can be set by the issuer but must be a minimum of 20 days. Registration to purchase and payment of monies When an investor registers to purchase the securities it must pay the purchase price into an escrow bank account and this money will remain in escrow until completion of the PO.Allocation and delivery The issuer must allocate the securities within 90 days from the SSC’s certificate of acceptance, and physically deliver the securities to investors within 30 days from the date the offer ends. 2. 7 2. 8 3. List ing Listing is the process of taking a privately-owned organisation including an equitized or equitizing State owned enterprise (SOE) and making the transition to a publicly-owned entity whose shares can be traded on the HCMCSTC or HASTC. 3. Conditions, application and procedures for listing The regulations on the conditions, application files and procedures for listing a company are not contained in Law 70, they are contained in Decree 14. The conditions for listing on the stock exchange (of which there are currently none in Vietnam) are different from the conditions to list on a securities trading centre. However, in anticipation of the HCMCSTC converting to a stock exchange, new registrations for listing on the HCMCSTC must satisfy the conditions applicable for stock exchange listings, while existing listed companies on the HCMCSTC have two years to satisfy these conditions.Companies failing to meet these requirements will have their listing moved to the HASTC. Conditions, applic ation and procedures for listing on the Stock Exchange/HCMCSTC (a) Shares. The listing company must be a shareholding company with paid-up capital of at least VND80 billion at the time of registration for listing, must have made a profit in the two years prior to year of listing and must not have accumulated losses as at the year of registration for listing.There must not be overdue debts payable (unless a lawful reserve has been made for them) and there must be public disclosure of all debts owed to the company by officers2 and major shareholders. At least 100 shareholders must own 20% of the voting shares of the listing company, and there must be an undertaking from shareholders who are also officers of the company to hold 100% of their shares for 6 months from the date of listing and 50% of their shares for the following 6 months. Bonds.The listing company or SOE must have paid-up capital of at least VND80 billion at the time of registration for listing, must have made a profit i n the two years prior to year of listing and must not have overdue debts of more than 1 year. There must be at least 50 bondholders in any one bond issue. 3. 2 (b) 2 Officers are the members of the board of management, members of the board of controllers, director, general director, deputy director, deputy general director and chief accountant.  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws (c) Fund Certificates. Issued fund certificates must have total value of at least VND50 billion. There must be an undertaking from the initial shareholdings and members of the committee of representatives of the fund to hold 100% of their shares for 6 months from the date of listing and 50% of their shares for the following 6 months. There must be at least 100 owners of fund certificates. 3. 3 Conditions, application and procedures for listing on the HASTC (a) Shares.The listing company must be a shareholding company with paid-up capital of at least VND10 billion at the time of registration fo r listing, must have made a profit in year prior to year of listing and must not have overdue debts of more than 1 year (with no current debts or financial obligations to the State). There must be at least 100 shareholders with voting shares, and there must be an undertaking from shareholders who are also officers of the company to hold 100% of their shares for 6 months from the date of listing and 50% of their shares for the following 6 months.The conditions relating to profitable business operations and overdue debts do not apply to newly established enterprises in infrastructure and high-tech sectors or equitizing SOEs. (b) Bonds. The listing company or SOE must have paid-up capital of at least VND10 billion at the time of registration for listing, and all bonds in the issue must have the same maturity date. Other types of securities. The task of stipulating conditions for listing other types of securities has been delegated to the MOF. (c) 3. 4 Registration The listing enterpris e must register with the relevant exchange or trading centre.To register the listing enterprise must submit a registration slip and attach those documents that are required by Law 70 (and which will be given more detail in specific regulations of the exchange/trading centre). The documents required include the prospectus, relevant corporate resolutions, register of shareholders/bondholders and required undertakings. The exchange/trading centre has 30 days from receipt of the registration slip to approve or refuse the application. 3. 5 Trading Current guidelines on securities, membership of the HCMCSTC/HASTCand trading in securities are contained in Circular 583 implementing Decree 1444.In time, Circular 58 should also be repealed by a new circular implementing Law 70 and Decree 14. In the interim the HCMCSTC and the HASTC continue to apply the day to day trading rules contained in the Circular 58. In addition, under Law 70, the HCMCSTC and the HASTC each are given the responsibility to issue regulations on the trading of listed securities within their respective centres. 3. 6 Other trading Securities listed on a Stock Exchange cannot be traded outside the Stock Exchange, unless otherwise stipulated in the trading rules of the Stock Exchange.In comparison, securities listed on a securities trading centre (STC) can be traded at a securities company which is a trading member of the STC. 3. 7 Taxation holidays – almost over Previously, to encourage investment in Vietnam’s securities market, various incentives were offered, 3 4 Circular 58-2004-TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance dated 17 June 2004. Both Circular 58 and Decree 144 were issued before Law 70 and Decree 14, and must be read down to the extent of the inconsistency. 4  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws ncluding preferential corporate income tax rates to companies upon listing. However, this preferential tax treatment ceased on 1 January 2007. Dividends from shares have been fr ee of personal income tax since 1994. However this very long â€Å"temporary exemption† is expected to come to an end under the proposed Law on Personal Income Tax, which was considered by the National Assembly in October-November 2006 and is expected to be passed in 2007. If passed in its current draft form, dividends from shares will be subject to personal income tax at a proposed rate of 5% from 1 January 2009. . Public companies A public company is a newly introduced concept in Vietnam. A public company is a shareholding company with any of the following characteristics: †¢ †¢ †¢ Shares have been issued via a PO. Shares are listed on the HCMCSTC or the HASTC. Shares are owned by 100 or more investors, excluding professional securities investors, and have a paid-up charter capital of VND10 billion or more. Importantly, a company does not have to be listed to be deemed a public company. New rules introduced for public companies include: 4. Filing A public com pany must lodge the public company file with the SSC within 90 days of becoming a public company. The public company files comprises the company’s charter and business registration certificate, the most recent financial statement and summarized information on its business operations scale, management organization and shareholding structure. Major shareholders A shareholder of a public company is deemed to be a major shareholder when it holds directly or indirectly (undefined) 5% or more of the voting shares the company.Upon becoming a major shareholder, the shareholder must report to the SSC and the HCMCSTC or HASTC (depending on where the shares of the public company are listed/offered). The information that must be reported is not extensive: only details of the investor (name, address) and details of the shares (number, percentage). However, important changes to this information, including a change of the number of shares in excess of 1%, must also be reported. Takeovers An offer to purchaser 25% or more of the voting shares in a public company must be made by a â€Å"public offer to acquire†.The public offer to acquire must be registered with and approved by the SSC (the law does not detail any criteria or basis for the approval) and must be announced in the mass media. Of note, if after implementation of the public offer to acquire, the acquirer holds 80% or more in the public company, the acquirer must, if the remaining shareholders so request, acquire the remaining shares at the announced price of the offer to acquire. 4. 4 Disclosure requirements A public company must publicly disclose certain information and report it to the SSC.Annually, a public company must disclose its audited financial statements. In addition, it must disclose information within a short period (24 hours, or 72 hours) upon the happening of a prescribed event, for example if an account of the public company is frozen (within 24 hours) or if a decision is made to borrow bonds with a value of 30% or more of the company’s equity (within 72 hours). 4. 2 4. 3 5  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws 5. 5. 1 Foreign investors – how to purchase sharesUnlisted shares To contribute capital or purchase shares in Vietnamese enterprises, foreign investors must open a Vietnamese dong capital contribution and share purchase account (Account) at a commercial bank operating in Vietnam. All transfers of funds for the purpose of contributing capital, purchasing and selling shares, transferring capital contribution, receiving and using dividends or profits distribution, or purchasing foreign currency from authorised banks for remittance abroad and other transactions relating to any activity of capital contribution or purchase of shares inVietnamese enterprises by foreign investors must be performed through this Account. Further, this Account may only be used for capital contributions and share purchase activities. Within 2 working days from the date of opening the Account at a commercial bank, the foreign investor must register the Account with the State Bank (Department of Foreign Exchange Control). Under law, the State Bank must certify registration of the account within 5 working days, or otherwise provide written notice of its reasons for refusing to provide certification.A foreign investor is only allowed to perform receipt or payment transactions through the Account after obtaining a document on certification of account registration from the State Bank. Therefore it is important for potential investors to organize this account well in advance of the relevant share purchase date. Other than the controls over the Account, trading in unlisted shares is largely unregulated. 5. 2 Listed shares The foreign investor must apply for a securities trading code from the HCMCSTC/HASTC.The application consists of an application form and supporting documents. Unfortunately, the supporting documents that originate outside Vietn am (for example the constitution and establishment documents of the foreign investor) are subject to the tedious requirements of notarization and certification. Investors must then open a VND securities trading account with a registered broker in accordance with Decision 15505 to service activities of the purchase and sale of securities.The following accounts must be opened by the broker at an authorized bank in Vietnam: (a) a specialized, on-call foreign currency deposit account, into which foreign currency of the foreign investor is deposited (i) for the purpose of conversion into VND for purchase of securities or (ii) after conversion from VND for the purpose of remittance overseas or other authorized foreign currency remittances in Vietnam; and (b) a specialized, on-call VND deposit account, into which all VND amounts (after conversion from foreign currency) and all VND income from securities nvestment is transferred and from which all VND remittances for purchase of securities or for conversion into foreign currency is made. Listed share certificates must be centrally deposited at the Vietnam Securities Depository (VSD). This happens in two steps: first, the owner deposits the certificates with a depository member (for example, the broker or depository bank) and second, the depository member in turn deposits the certificates at the VSD. Cash settlement is made via the settlement bank, which is the BIDV. 6. 6. 1Foreign investors – restrictions Prohibited and conditional sectors Four prohibited sectors are listed in the 2005 Law on Investment. These sectors apply equally to foreign and local investors. Nine conditional sectors are listed in the 2005 Law on Investment. These sectors also apply equally to foreign and local investors. In addition foreign investment is conditional in 13 sectors specified in Decree 108 and ‘other investment sectors in international treaties of which Vietnam is a member and which restrict the opening of the 5Decision 1550-2004-QD-NHNN of the State Bank of Vietnam dated 6 December 2004. 6  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws market to foreign investors’. It is not yet clear what the conditions are, and whether they may include restrictions on indirect investment. 6. 2 Other restrictions The current (to the extent that they have not been specifically repealed) laws of Vietnam consist of the following restrictions: (a) (b) (c) There is a cap on total foreign shareholdings in or capital contributions to any one unlisted domestic business of 30% of the charter capital (30% rule).The range of unlisted companies in which foreign investors may purchase shares is also restricted by sector (only 35 business lines are permitted). Foreign investors may hold a maximum of 49% of the total shares of any one company listed at a stock exchange or registered for trading at a securities trading centre (49% rule). Although not yet specifically repealed these restrictions may be affected by the 2005 Law on Investment which stipulates â€Å"investors must be permitted to invest in all sectors and in all industries and trades which are not prohibited by law†.Therefore under this general rule foreign investors should be (in theory) permitted to invest in all sectors and all industries provided that they are not in a prohibited or conditional sector (as above). It is not clear if the authorities will interpret the 30% rule and the 49% rule as being repealed by or alternatively, qualifying the Law on Investment. We consider that the better view is that these rules should be repealed by the Law on Investment. This view is consistent with the WTO principle of national treatment.However, we understand that in a meeting held on 18 January 2007 between the Government Office, the Ministry of Finance and the SSC the Government Office expressed the Prime Minister’s opinion that the 49% rule would continue to be applied ‘temporarily’. In any event, specific re strictions will continue to apply to conditional sectors (for example, banks) in accordance with commitments made under international agreements. 7. 7. 1 Securities Industry Players General Securities companies and fund management companies are the key players in the Vietnamese securities industry.This section provides an overview of the scope of activities under Law 70 of these companies Securities company As at 29 December 2006, the SSC has issued 55 operational licenses to securities companies under the previous securities law regime. After the effective date of Law 70, being 1 January 2007, there have not been any operational licenses issued and the most likely reason is that the implementing regulations for Law 70 have not been promulgated to guide the SSC in its work.Under Law 70, securities companies are permitted to engage in any or all of the following activities (the minimum legal capital is listed along side each of the activity): (a) (b) securities brokerage (VND 25 bill ion); securities self-trading (if the securities company engages in this activity it can only conduct the other activity of underwriting) (VND 100 billion); underwriting issues of securities (VND 165 billion); securities investment consultancy (VND 10 billion); financial consultancy services; and other financial services. . 2 (c) (d) (e) (f) The permitted areas of activity are limited compared to the business areas permitted under the old securities law regime. The prescribed minimum legal capital has also increased. This explains why there was a rush towards the end of 2006 to obtain a securities company license from the SSC. 7  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws 7. 3 Fund Management Company Prior to the effective date of Law 70, eighteen operational licenses were issued by the SSC to fund management companies.Again there was a rush to obtain a license towards the end of 2006 because the scope of business activities has been restricted under Law 70. A fund management company can only engage in fund management and portfolio management and the minimum legal capital for establishment is VND 25 billion. 8. Funds This section provides a brief overview of investment funds as this is the subject of a detailed paper which will be released once the MOF has settled the regulation on investments funds and other related matters. Investment funds have been driving the bullish Vietnamese stock market.There have been a growing number of offshore and onshore investment funds established in recent years. At least 25 investment funds are operating in the market with an objective of investing in Vietnam. The Prime Minister has reportedly indicated that regulations on capital controls would be tightened to prevent capital flight which probably means that the MOF’s soon to be released regulations would introduce further regulatory controls on the operation of Funds. In brief, Law 70 sets the framework for the establishment of onshore public and membersâ€℠¢ funds.Public funds and members’ funds must have at least VND 50 billion in start up capital and managed by a fund management company. A public fund may be an open or closed ended fund with at least 100 investors. A members’ fund must have up to 30 investors. Assets of a fund are to be held by a custodian bank. The MOF’s future regulation is expected to contain other operational requirements. This article was written by Julia Howes, a lawyer with Allens Arthur Robinson who has been practicing in Vietnam for 3 years.Allens Arthur Robinson is one of the largest international law firms in Asia, with more than 900 lawyers, including 179 partners. Allens Arthur Robinson has been providing legal services for clients in Australia for more than 180 years and in Asia for the past 30 years. Our Vietnam practice is managed by partners Bill Magennis in Hanoi and Nigel Russell in Ho Chi Minh City, both of whom joined the Allens Arthur Robinson partnership from 1 January 200 7. The Vietnam practice was established in 1993 and is one of the largest and most successful among foreign law firms in the country.For further information, please contact: Bill Magennis Partner, Hanoi Ph: +84 4 936 0990 Bill. [email  protected] com. au Nigel Russell Partner, Ho Chi Minh City Ph: +84 8 822 1717 Nigel. [email  protected] com. au Steve Pemberton Partner, Singapore Ph: +65 6535 6622 Steve. [email  protected] com. au Jim Dunstan Executive Partner – Banking & Finance and Asia offices, Sydney Ph: +61 2 9230 4571 Jim. [email  protected] com. au Simon Lynch Partner, Melbourne Ph: +61 3 9613 8922 Simon. [email  protected] com. au Jeremy Low Partner, Sydney Ph: +61 2 9230 4041 Jeremy. [email  protected] com. au This publication is copyright.Except as permitted under relevant laws, no part of this publication may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owner.  © Allens Arthur Robinson 8  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws The material contained in Vietnam Client Updates is intended to inform you of recent legal developments in Vietnam. It is not intended, and should not be relied upon, as legal advice. Should you wish further information in relation to any legal instrument or matter mentioned in this issue, please do not hesitate to contact one of our offices.Ho Chi Minh City Suite 605 Saigon Tower 29 Le Duan Boulevard District 1 Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam Tel +84 8 822 1717 Fax +84 8 822 1818 nigel. [email  protected] com. au Hanoi Suite 401 Hanoi Tower 49 Hai Ba Trung Hanoi, Vietnam Tel +84 4 936 0990 Fax +84 4 936 0984 bill. [email  protected] com. au Allens Arthur Robinson – a leading international law firm with lawyers in: Bangkok | Beijing | Brisbane | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City | Hong Kong | Jakarta | Melbourne | Perth | Phnom Penh | Port Moresby | Shanghai | Singapore | Sydney 9  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws The Securities Market in Vietnam The Securities Market in Vietnam – 14 March 2007 This article is an introduction to the legal framework that governs the securities market in Vietnam, in particular public offers, listing, public companies and buying shares. This article focuses on the provision of Law 70-2006QH11 of the National Assembly on Securities (Law 70) and Decree 14-2007-ND-CP of the Government dated 19 January 2007 Providing Detailed Regulations for Implementation of a Number of Articles of the Law on Securities (Decree 14) .The MOF is to shortly issue a regulation to further provide guidance to the SSC on regulating and establishing investment funds, securities companies and fund management companies. An update will be provided once the regulation has been promulgated. 1. 1. 1 Relevant bodies The State Securities Commission (SSC) The SSC is the official regulator of the stock exchange, and is overseen by the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The HCMC Securities Trading Centre (HCMCSTC) The HCMCSTC is an ad ministrative unit of the SSC.It is a securities trading and listing market and offers and official mechanism through which new government bonds are issued and is the secondary markets for several existing bonds. Currently, the HCMCSTC is an administrative unit under the SSC. Under Law 70 it is to covert to either a Stock Exchange or a Securities Trading Centre in the form of a limited liability company or a shareholding company by July 2008. It is expected that the HCMCSTC will be converted into a Stock Exchange. 1. 2 1. 3 The Hanoi Securities Trading Centre (HASTC) The HASTC is an administrative unit of the SSC.It is a securities trading and listing market and offers and is also Vietnam’s official over-the-counter market for securities. Under Law 70 it is to covert to either a Stock Exchange or a Securities Trading Centre in the form of a limited liability company or a shareholding company by July 2008. It is expected that the HASTC will be converted into a Securities Tradin g Centre. 2. Public offer (PO) In Vietnam the processes of a public offer (PO) and listing are different, although companies may do the two simultaneously.A PO is an offer to sell shares, bonds or fund certificates via the mass media, or to at least 100 investors excluding institutional investors or to an unspecified number of investors. 2. 1 Participants (a) The issuer or issuing organization. This is the enterprise making the PO. The securities may be listed or unlisted. Underwriters. Securities in a PO may be distributed by underwriters. Underwriters must be securities companies authorized to underwrite issues of securities or a commercial banks approved by the SSC to underwrite issues of bonds, on conditions regulated by the MOF.The role of the underwriter is to assist the issuer to complete procedures prior to the PO, to purchase the securities for resale or the unsold portion of the securities from the issuer, and to assist the issuer to distribute the securities to the public . Custodian banks. These are commercial banks that are either domestic or foreign invested (that is, not an offshore licensed bank) and are licensed to carry out securities depository activities including the keeping and maintaining of securities.  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws (b) (c) (d) Investors. Investors who wish to purchase securities may be Vietnamese or foreign investors but foreign investor must first apply for a securities trading code. Foreign investment is also subject to limitations (discussed below). 2. 2 Currency and par value Securities offered by a PO must be denominated in Vietnamese dong. The par value for shares and fund certificates is VND10,000 and the minimum par value for bonds is VND100,000. Conditions for a PO (a) Shares.An issuer of shares must be a shareholding company with paid-up capital of at least VND10 billion at the time of registration of the PO, must have made a profit in the year prior to the PO and must not have accumulated l osses as at the year of registration of the offer. The general meeting of shareholders1 of the issuer must pass an issue plan and plan for utilization of the proceeds earned. 2. 3 Under Decree 14 other specific conditions apply to newly established enterprises conducting an initial public offer if the enterprise is in the infrastructure or high-tech sectors.These conditions include the obligation for there to be an underwriter, and the obligation for there to be a bank supervising utilization of the proceeds earned from the offer. (b) Bonds. An issuer of bonds must have paid-up capital of at least VND10 billion at the time of registration of the PO, must have made a profit in the year prior to the PO, must not have accumulated losses as at the year of registration of the offer and must not have more than 100 overdue debts payable. The board of management or members’ council of the issuer (as applicable) must pass an issue plan and plan for utilization and repayment of the pro ceeds earned.The issuer of bonds must also give an undertaking to investors to discharge it obligations. In the case of convertible bonds the issue plan and plan for utilization proceeds must also have a plan for issuance of the shares for conversion and all plans must be passed by the general meeting of shareholders (not the board of management). (c) Fund Certificates. Issued fund certificates must have total value of at least VND50 billion. There must also be an issue plan and a plan for investment of the capital funds earned. 2. 4Prospectus Issuers of a PO must prepare a prospectus. The main contents for a prospectus are prescribed in Law 70 and the MOF has been delegated the task of creating a sample form prospectus. Among other things, the prospectus must include the financial statements of the issuer for the 2 years prior to the issue of the PO. The prospectus must be signed by the chairman of the board of management, the general director, the financial director/accountant (on ly in the case of shares and bonds) and the legal representative of the underwriter. . 5 Registration The issuer must register the PO with the SSC. To register, the issuer must submit a request for registration and attach those documents that are required by Law 70 (and which will be given more detail in specific regulations of the MOF). The documents required include the prospectus, the charter (or in the case of a PO of fund certificates, the proposed charter of the securities investment fund) and relevant resolutions and undertakings by the issuer. In the case of a PO for fund certificates the 1In the case of a enterprise with foreign owned capital that is converting to a shareholding company in combination with making a public offer of shares, Decree 14 clarifies that the issue plan and plan for utilization is passed by the owner of the enterprise with 100% foreign owned capital and the board of management of a joint venture enterprise. 2  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vie tnam Laws contract for supervision between the custodian bank and the securities investment fund must also be submitted. The SSC has 30 days from receipt of the registration statement to certify registration. . 6 Announcement Within 7 days from certification of registration the issuer must make a public announcement in 3 consecutive newspaper issues. The announcement must stipulate the time in which investors have to register to purchase the securities. The time limit can be set by the issuer but must be a minimum of 20 days. Registration to purchase and payment of monies When an investor registers to purchase the securities it must pay the purchase price into an escrow bank account and this money will remain in escrow until completion of the PO.Allocation and delivery The issuer must allocate the securities within 90 days from the SSC’s certificate of acceptance, and physically deliver the securities to investors within 30 days from the date the offer ends. 2. 7 2. 8 3. List ing Listing is the process of taking a privately-owned organisation including an equitized or equitizing State owned enterprise (SOE) and making the transition to a publicly-owned entity whose shares can be traded on the HCMCSTC or HASTC. 3. Conditions, application and procedures for listing The regulations on the conditions, application files and procedures for listing a company are not contained in Law 70, they are contained in Decree 14. The conditions for listing on the stock exchange (of which there are currently none in Vietnam) are different from the conditions to list on a securities trading centre. However, in anticipation of the HCMCSTC converting to a stock exchange, new registrations for listing on the HCMCSTC must satisfy the conditions applicable for stock exchange listings, while existing listed companies on the HCMCSTC have two years to satisfy these conditions.Companies failing to meet these requirements will have their listing moved to the HASTC. Conditions, applic ation and procedures for listing on the Stock Exchange/HCMCSTC (a) Shares. The listing company must be a shareholding company with paid-up capital of at least VND80 billion at the time of registration for listing, must have made a profit in the two years prior to year of listing and must not have accumulated losses as at the year of registration for listing.There must not be overdue debts payable (unless a lawful reserve has been made for them) and there must be public disclosure of all debts owed to the company by officers2 and major shareholders. At least 100 shareholders must own 20% of the voting shares of the listing company, and there must be an undertaking from shareholders who are also officers of the company to hold 100% of their shares for 6 months from the date of listing and 50% of their shares for the following 6 months. Bonds.The listing company or SOE must have paid-up capital of at least VND80 billion at the time of registration for listing, must have made a profit i n the two years prior to year of listing and must not have overdue debts of more than 1 year. There must be at least 50 bondholders in any one bond issue. 3. 2 (b) 2 Officers are the members of the board of management, members of the board of controllers, director, general director, deputy director, deputy general director and chief accountant.  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws (c) Fund Certificates. Issued fund certificates must have total value of at least VND50 billion. There must be an undertaking from the initial shareholdings and members of the committee of representatives of the fund to hold 100% of their shares for 6 months from the date of listing and 50% of their shares for the following 6 months. There must be at least 100 owners of fund certificates. 3. 3 Conditions, application and procedures for listing on the HASTC (a) Shares.The listing company must be a shareholding company with paid-up capital of at least VND10 billion at the time of registration fo r listing, must have made a profit in year prior to year of listing and must not have overdue debts of more than 1 year (with no current debts or financial obligations to the State). There must be at least 100 shareholders with voting shares, and there must be an undertaking from shareholders who are also officers of the company to hold 100% of their shares for 6 months from the date of listing and 50% of their shares for the following 6 months.The conditions relating to profitable business operations and overdue debts do not apply to newly established enterprises in infrastructure and high-tech sectors or equitizing SOEs. (b) Bonds. The listing company or SOE must have paid-up capital of at least VND10 billion at the time of registration for listing, and all bonds in the issue must have the same maturity date. Other types of securities. The task of stipulating conditions for listing other types of securities has been delegated to the MOF. (c) 3. 4 Registration The listing enterpris e must register with the relevant exchange or trading centre.To register the listing enterprise must submit a registration slip and attach those documents that are required by Law 70 (and which will be given more detail in specific regulations of the exchange/trading centre). The documents required include the prospectus, relevant corporate resolutions, register of shareholders/bondholders and required undertakings. The exchange/trading centre has 30 days from receipt of the registration slip to approve or refuse the application. 3. 5 Trading Current guidelines on securities, membership of the HCMCSTC/HASTCand trading in securities are contained in Circular 583 implementing Decree 1444.In time, Circular 58 should also be repealed by a new circular implementing Law 70 and Decree 14. In the interim the HCMCSTC and the HASTC continue to apply the day to day trading rules contained in the Circular 58. In addition, under Law 70, the HCMCSTC and the HASTC each are given the responsibility to issue regulations on the trading of listed securities within their respective centres. 3. 6 Other trading Securities listed on a Stock Exchange cannot be traded outside the Stock Exchange, unless otherwise stipulated in the trading rules of the Stock Exchange.In comparison, securities listed on a securities trading centre (STC) can be traded at a securities company which is a trading member of the STC. 3. 7 Taxation holidays – almost over Previously, to encourage investment in Vietnam’s securities market, various incentives were offered, 3 4 Circular 58-2004-TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance dated 17 June 2004. Both Circular 58 and Decree 144 were issued before Law 70 and Decree 14, and must be read down to the extent of the inconsistency. 4  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws ncluding preferential corporate income tax rates to companies upon listing. However, this preferential tax treatment ceased on 1 January 2007. Dividends from shares have been fr ee of personal income tax since 1994. However this very long â€Å"temporary exemption† is expected to come to an end under the proposed Law on Personal Income Tax, which was considered by the National Assembly in October-November 2006 and is expected to be passed in 2007. If passed in its current draft form, dividends from shares will be subject to personal income tax at a proposed rate of 5% from 1 January 2009. . Public companies A public company is a newly introduced concept in Vietnam. A public company is a shareholding company with any of the following characteristics: †¢ †¢ †¢ Shares have been issued via a PO. Shares are listed on the HCMCSTC or the HASTC. Shares are owned by 100 or more investors, excluding professional securities investors, and have a paid-up charter capital of VND10 billion or more. Importantly, a company does not have to be listed to be deemed a public company. New rules introduced for public companies include: 4. Filing A public com pany must lodge the public company file with the SSC within 90 days of becoming a public company. The public company files comprises the company’s charter and business registration certificate, the most recent financial statement and summarized information on its business operations scale, management organization and shareholding structure. Major shareholders A shareholder of a public company is deemed to be a major shareholder when it holds directly or indirectly (undefined) 5% or more of the voting shares the company.Upon becoming a major shareholder, the shareholder must report to the SSC and the HCMCSTC or HASTC (depending on where the shares of the public company are listed/offered). The information that must be reported is not extensive: only details of the investor (name, address) and details of the shares (number, percentage). However, important changes to this information, including a change of the number of shares in excess of 1%, must also be reported. Takeovers An offer to purchaser 25% or more of the voting shares in a public company must be made by a â€Å"public offer to acquire†.The public offer to acquire must be registered with and approved by the SSC (the law does not detail any criteria or basis for the approval) and must be announced in the mass media. Of note, if after implementation of the public offer to acquire, the acquirer holds 80% or more in the public company, the acquirer must, if the remaining shareholders so request, acquire the remaining shares at the announced price of the offer to acquire. 4. 4 Disclosure requirements A public company must publicly disclose certain information and report it to the SSC.Annually, a public company must disclose its audited financial statements. In addition, it must disclose information within a short period (24 hours, or 72 hours) upon the happening of a prescribed event, for example if an account of the public company is frozen (within 24 hours) or if a decision is made to borrow bonds with a value of 30% or more of the company’s equity (within 72 hours). 4. 2 4. 3 5  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws 5. 5. 1 Foreign investors – how to purchase sharesUnlisted shares To contribute capital or purchase shares in Vietnamese enterprises, foreign investors must open a Vietnamese dong capital contribution and share purchase account (Account) at a commercial bank operating in Vietnam. All transfers of funds for the purpose of contributing capital, purchasing and selling shares, transferring capital contribution, receiving and using dividends or profits distribution, or purchasing foreign currency from authorised banks for remittance abroad and other transactions relating to any activity of capital contribution or purchase of shares inVietnamese enterprises by foreign investors must be performed through this Account. Further, this Account may only be used for capital contributions and share purchase activities. Within 2 working days from the date of opening the Account at a commercial bank, the foreign investor must register the Account with the State Bank (Department of Foreign Exchange Control). Under law, the State Bank must certify registration of the account within 5 working days, or otherwise provide written notice of its reasons for refusing to provide certification.A foreign investor is only allowed to perform receipt or payment transactions through the Account after obtaining a document on certification of account registration from the State Bank. Therefore it is important for potential investors to organize this account well in advance of the relevant share purchase date. Other than the controls over the Account, trading in unlisted shares is largely unregulated. 5. 2 Listed shares The foreign investor must apply for a securities trading code from the HCMCSTC/HASTC.The application consists of an application form and supporting documents. Unfortunately, the supporting documents that originate outside Vietn am (for example the constitution and establishment documents of the foreign investor) are subject to the tedious requirements of notarization and certification. Investors must then open a VND securities trading account with a registered broker in accordance with Decision 15505 to service activities of the purchase and sale of securities.The following accounts must be opened by the broker at an authorized bank in Vietnam: (a) a specialized, on-call foreign currency deposit account, into which foreign currency of the foreign investor is deposited (i) for the purpose of conversion into VND for purchase of securities or (ii) after conversion from VND for the purpose of remittance overseas or other authorized foreign currency remittances in Vietnam; and (b) a specialized, on-call VND deposit account, into which all VND amounts (after conversion from foreign currency) and all VND income from securities nvestment is transferred and from which all VND remittances for purchase of securities or for conversion into foreign currency is made. Listed share certificates must be centrally deposited at the Vietnam Securities Depository (VSD). This happens in two steps: first, the owner deposits the certificates with a depository member (for example, the broker or depository bank) and second, the depository member in turn deposits the certificates at the VSD. Cash settlement is made via the settlement bank, which is the BIDV. 6. 6. 1Foreign investors – restrictions Prohibited and conditional sectors Four prohibited sectors are listed in the 2005 Law on Investment. These sectors apply equally to foreign and local investors. Nine conditional sectors are listed in the 2005 Law on Investment. These sectors also apply equally to foreign and local investors. In addition foreign investment is conditional in 13 sectors specified in Decree 108 and ‘other investment sectors in international treaties of which Vietnam is a member and which restrict the opening of the 5Decision 1550-2004-QD-NHNN of the State Bank of Vietnam dated 6 December 2004. 6  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws market to foreign investors’. It is not yet clear what the conditions are, and whether they may include restrictions on indirect investment. 6. 2 Other restrictions The current (to the extent that they have not been specifically repealed) laws of Vietnam consist of the following restrictions: (a) (b) (c) There is a cap on total foreign shareholdings in or capital contributions to any one unlisted domestic business of 30% of the charter capital (30% rule).The range of unlisted companies in which foreign investors may purchase shares is also restricted by sector (only 35 business lines are permitted). Foreign investors may hold a maximum of 49% of the total shares of any one company listed at a stock exchange or registered for trading at a securities trading centre (49% rule). Although not yet specifically repealed these restrictions may be affected by the 2005 Law on Investment which stipulates â€Å"investors must be permitted to invest in all sectors and in all industries and trades which are not prohibited by law†.Therefore under this general rule foreign investors should be (in theory) permitted to invest in all sectors and all industries provided that they are not in a prohibited or conditional sector (as above). It is not clear if the authorities will interpret the 30% rule and the 49% rule as being repealed by or alternatively, qualifying the Law on Investment. We consider that the better view is that these rules should be repealed by the Law on Investment. This view is consistent with the WTO principle of national treatment.However, we understand that in a meeting held on 18 January 2007 between the Government Office, the Ministry of Finance and the SSC the Government Office expressed the Prime Minister’s opinion that the 49% rule would continue to be applied ‘temporarily’. In any event, specific re strictions will continue to apply to conditional sectors (for example, banks) in accordance with commitments made under international agreements. 7. 7. 1 Securities Industry Players General Securities companies and fund management companies are the key players in the Vietnamese securities industry.This section provides an overview of the scope of activities under Law 70 of these companies Securities company As at 29 December 2006, the SSC has issued 55 operational licenses to securities companies under the previous securities law regime. After the effective date of Law 70, being 1 January 2007, there have not been any operational licenses issued and the most likely reason is that the implementing regulations for Law 70 have not been promulgated to guide the SSC in its work.Under Law 70, securities companies are permitted to engage in any or all of the following activities (the minimum legal capital is listed along side each of the activity): (a) (b) securities brokerage (VND 25 bill ion); securities self-trading (if the securities company engages in this activity it can only conduct the other activity of underwriting) (VND 100 billion); underwriting issues of securities (VND 165 billion); securities investment consultancy (VND 10 billion); financial consultancy services; and other financial services. . 2 (c) (d) (e) (f) The permitted areas of activity are limited compared to the business areas permitted under the old securities law regime. The prescribed minimum legal capital has also increased. This explains why there was a rush towards the end of 2006 to obtain a securities company license from the SSC. 7  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws 7. 3 Fund Management Company Prior to the effective date of Law 70, eighteen operational licenses were issued by the SSC to fund management companies.Again there was a rush to obtain a license towards the end of 2006 because the scope of business activities has been restricted under Law 70. A fund management company can only engage in fund management and portfolio management and the minimum legal capital for establishment is VND 25 billion. 8. Funds This section provides a brief overview of investment funds as this is the subject of a detailed paper which will be released once the MOF has settled the regulation on investments funds and other related matters. Investment funds have been driving the bullish Vietnamese stock market.There have been a growing number of offshore and onshore investment funds established in recent years. At least 25 investment funds are operating in the market with an objective of investing in Vietnam. The Prime Minister has reportedly indicated that regulations on capital controls would be tightened to prevent capital flight which probably means that the MOF’s soon to be released regulations would introduce further regulatory controls on the operation of Funds. In brief, Law 70 sets the framework for the establishment of onshore public and membersâ€℠¢ funds.Public funds and members’ funds must have at least VND 50 billion in start up capital and managed by a fund management company. A public fund may be an open or closed ended fund with at least 100 investors. A members’ fund must have up to 30 investors. Assets of a fund are to be held by a custodian bank. The MOF’s future regulation is expected to contain other operational requirements. This article was written by Julia Howes, a lawyer with Allens Arthur Robinson who has been practicing in Vietnam for 3 years.Allens Arthur Robinson is one of the largest international law firms in Asia, with more than 900 lawyers, including 179 partners. Allens Arthur Robinson has been providing legal services for clients in Australia for more than 180 years and in Asia for the past 30 years. Our Vietnam practice is managed by partners Bill Magennis in Hanoi and Nigel Russell in Ho Chi Minh City, both of whom joined the Allens Arthur Robinson partnership from 1 January 200 7. The Vietnam practice was established in 1993 and is one of the largest and most successful among foreign law firms in the country.For further information, please contact: Bill Magennis Partner, Hanoi Ph: +84 4 936 0990 Bill. [email  protected] com. au Nigel Russell Partner, Ho Chi Minh City Ph: +84 8 822 1717 Nigel. [email  protected] com. au Steve Pemberton Partner, Singapore Ph: +65 6535 6622 Steve. [email  protected] com. au Jim Dunstan Executive Partner – Banking & Finance and Asia offices, Sydney Ph: +61 2 9230 4571 Jim. [email  protected] com. au Simon Lynch Partner, Melbourne Ph: +61 3 9613 8922 Simon. [email  protected] com. au Jeremy Low Partner, Sydney Ph: +61 2 9230 4041 Jeremy. [email  protected] com. au This publication is copyright.Except as permitted under relevant laws, no part of this publication may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owner.  © Allens Arthur Robinson 8  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws The material contained in Vietnam Client Updates is intended to inform you of recent legal developments in Vietnam. It is not intended, and should not be relied upon, as legal advice. Should you wish further information in relation to any legal instrument or matter mentioned in this issue, please do not hesitate to contact one of our offices.Ho Chi Minh City Suite 605 Saigon Tower 29 Le Duan Boulevard District 1 Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam Tel +84 8 822 1717 Fax +84 8 822 1818 nigel. [email  protected] com. au Hanoi Suite 401 Hanoi Tower 49 Hai Ba Trung Hanoi, Vietnam Tel +84 4 936 0990 Fax +84 4 936 0984 bill. [email  protected] com. au Allens Arthur Robinson – a leading international law firm with lawyers in: Bangkok | Beijing | Brisbane | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City | Hong Kong | Jakarta | Melbourne | Perth | Phnom Penh | Port Moresby | Shanghai | Singapore | Sydney 9  © Allens Arthur Robinson – Vietnam Laws

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