Mission for Growth to Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand

Exploit vast business opportunities in dynamic South-east Asian markets!

On 12-16 November 2013, Vice-President Antonio Tajani will lead a Mission for Growth to Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand. Missions for Growth is an initiative in the framework of the endeavours to stimulate growth and competitiveness within European industries and facilitate the internationalisation of small and medium sized enterprises. During these visits to non-EU countries, Vice-President Antonio Tajani is accompanied by a delegation of European entrepreneurs.

The objectives of these visits are to help European companies - and in particular small and medium sized enterprises - to operate in the ASEAN region and to promote European industry in targeted sectors by participating in matchmaking events with local entrepreneurs.

Vietnam

The visit will start on 12 November with a full working day of business opportunities events in Ho Chi Minh City. There, the Vice-President and the delegation of the EU entrepreneurs will meet with interested business representatives and the business Community of Vietnam. On 13 November, the Vice-President will participate at the "15thForum on Eco-innovation - Eco-innovation for a sustainable food supply-chain" in Hanoi which is of particular interest to companies active in waste management, in processing, in packaging and in retailing. The Hanoi visit will also include political meetings.

Myanmar

On 14-15 November the Vice-President will attend the first EU-Myanmar Task Force in the presence of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton. This meeting will involve EU institutions, Member States and international financial institutions. The Task-Force will bring together political and business leaders, with the aim of supporting and fostering the transition process, drawing on the full range of the EU's resources in both the public and private sectors. Vice-President Tajani and Baroness Ashton will be accompanied by top-business leaders with a strong interest in developing their links with this country.

A more business-focused event (business forum) is planned to take place in Yangon on 14 November, while on 15 November the High Representative and the Vice-President will meet with the Myanmar Government in Nay Pyi Daw. The economic forum in Yangon will provide a unique opportunity for European Businesses to meet business representatives and be present for such an important moment in EU-Myanmar political and economic relations.

Thailand

On Saturday 16 November, the Vice-President will be in Thailand where he will meet with European business representatives and political and business leaders in Bangkok.

Sectoral focus of the Mission

Following contacts with government and business representatives in the concerned countries and the European industrial stakeholders, the industrial focus of the business delegation will be the following for all three countries:

Manufactured Goods (including: textiles, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotives...);Tourism (including: hospitality sector, tour operators, aviation, transport...);Agri-Business(including: rural development, fisheries, forest based industry, food and drinks sector, packaging...).

Additionally, the following areas will be of importance for Myanmar's visit:

Energy & Infrastructure (including: electricity supply, natural resources, mining and metals/minerals, transport infrastructure land/sea and air, urban development, sanitation, water and waste management...); Business Environment Support Services(including: financial services, insurance, distribution and retailing...).

Business meetings with local companies

Dedicated business to business meetings between European and local companies will be organised in order to facilitate business opportunities.

Myanmar

For the participation to the B2B meetings in Yangon on 14 and 15 November 2013 information will come soon. You will receive in due time additional information on how to book and schedule your meetings with the local companies through the matching tool.

Vietnam

For the participation to the B2B meetings in Ho Chi Minh City on 12 or 13 November 2013 in Hanoi information will come soon. You will receive in due time additional information on how to book and schedule your meetings with the local companies through the matching tool.

Thailand

For the participation to the B2B meetings in Bangkok on 16 November 2013 information will come soon. You will receive in due time additional information on how to book and schedule your meetings with the local companies through the matching tool.

In previous missions, Vice-President Tajani was accompanied by large business delegations (from 40 - 140 representatives of companies and industrial associations). Network partners are encouraged to promote the mission to their local clients (via newsletters, websites, press releases, advertisements, etc.). For further questions on the planned mission and/or how to register companies, please contact Thomas STEIERT (Tel.: +32 (0)2 29-92789).

For logistical reasons we would appreciate receiving expressions of interest from your clients as soon as possible. Transportation and accommodation expenditures will need to be borne by the companies themselves. The European Commission will arrange group bookings in hotels to facilitate reservations.

Visa requirements

Myanmar

Participants will need to apply for visas at the Myanmar Embassy. Please check with the Embassy in your respective country for supporting documents and application forms. For this country, the European Commission can provide an invitation letter to facilitate the issuance. The delivery of visas takes usually between five and ten days.

Vietnam / Thailand

Visa will be necessary for Vietnam whereas for Thailand visa requirements depend on the nationality of the participant. Please check with the Embassy in your respective country for supporting documents and application forms.

Expected travel costs

Vietnam / Myanmar / Thailand

Estimated costs for the 3 countries (of course these costs vary according to the flights and dates):

Flights - around 2400€Flights and hotel - around 3000€

Myanmar

Estimated for Myanmar only:

Flights - around 1900€Flights and hotel - around 2300€

Official Mission for Growth registration website:

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/initiatives/mission-growth/missions-for-growth/index_en.htm

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