Vietnam's Roaring Economy

April 17, 2008

9:00 am ~ 12:00 pm

MITC Offices

511 Congress Street , Portland

Vietnam has posed itself as a great and new international market since its accession to the World Trade Organization in January of 2007.

Its population of 83 million imports nearly $ 39 billion annually mostly consisting of machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement and motorcycles. Opportunities for Maine companies abound, specifically in education, softwood and hardwood lumber, foods, and environmental services & technologies.

Come find out how your company can find its niche in this up and coming Asian economy with World Affairs Council Vice President, Brad Babson and Nam Pham of the United Commercial Bank as they give the political and economic overviews of Vietnam that your business will need to succeed.

Meet Your Speakers:

Bradley O. Babson is a consultant on Asian affairs with a concentration on North Korea and Northeast Asia economic cooperation. He serves on the Advisory Council of the Korea Economic Institute of America, is a founding member of the National Committee on North Korea, and a director and vice president of the World Affairs Council of Maine. Mr. Babson received his BA degree from Williams College in 1972, and MPA degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of International and Public Affairs at Princeton University in 1974. He lives in Brunswick, Maine.

Nam Pham possesses comprehensive experience in government and banking in both domestic and international environments.  He has been a banker for more than 20 years.  Currently, he works for United Commercial Bank as Vice President and New England Credit Approval Officer.  UCB is a $12 billion premier bank serving Asian American in the US.  Nam is leading UCB’s effort to set up its operation in Vietnam for the last two years.

From 1994 to 2001 Nam served as Commissioner of Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, and Deputy Director for Massachusetts Office of  International Trade & Investment.

Nam earned  a MPA in Political Economy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

Agenda:

9:00 am        Check in

9:20 am         Introduction and Opening Remarks
                          Janine Bisaillon-Cary, President
                          Maine International Trade Center

9:30 am         Vietnam: A Political Perspective
                           Brad Babson
                           World Affairs Council

10:30 am        Break

10:45 am        Vietnam: An Economic Perspective
                            Nam Pham
                            United Commercial Bank

11:45 am         Conclusion

For more information on the program or to register, contact Doug Sanborn at registration@mitc.com or (207) 541-7455.

Vietnam's Roaring Economy

is part of the International Trade Education Series sponsored by:

Additional Media Support provided by:

International Trade Mission News™