ICHAM Newsletter N.2/2014 (English version)

May 2014

Newsletter N.2/2014

Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam

Highlights:  Vietnam Business Forum, P.2  Workshop on Tax and Legal Issue, P.3  Office Opening Ceremony, P.4  MECSPE Fair, P.5  Area Meeting 2014, P.7  Cosmoprof Bologna, P.9  Meeting with Italian Department, P.11  Rai Italia Interviews ICHAM President, P.12  ICHAM & Members, P.17

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VIETNAM BUSINESS FORUM On 24th March, the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) held in Ho Chi Minh City gave an opportunity for a high-level dialogue between foreign businesses and central government and provincial authorities of Vietnam.

The meeting was co-chaired by Minister of Planning and Investment Mr. Bui Quang Vinh and President of People Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Mr. Le Hoang Quan and 15 Chambers of Commerce Representatives who are part of VBF Consortium. The meeting aimed at putting forward solutions to some of the most pressing issues that businesses facing today, encompassing Licensing, Employment, Taxation and Customs as well as Land and Property.

On behalf of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, Mr. Michele D’Ercole joined the conference and the President of ICHAM had the chance to talk with Minister of Planning and Investment Mr. Bui Quang Vinh and other representatives about opportunities that Italian enterprises are taking in Vietnam and declared the will to promote dialogues between the two countries.

VBF meeting

Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh with ICHAM President Michele D’Ercole.

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WORKSHOP ON TAX AND LEGAL ISSUE

ICHAM members during the workshop

From left: Lawyer Veera Maenpaa, Tax Specialist Annett Perschmann Taubert, ICHAM President Michele D’Ercole and the partner of PwC Richard Irwin

Ho Chi Minh City, 25th March 2014 - With the aim of providing updated information on Tax and other legal issues in order to support bilateral trade between Italian and Vietnamese enterprises, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) organized in collaboration with PWC a workshop on Tax and Legal Issues.

In the first part of the workshop, Ms. Veera Maenpaa explained “Insight into the practice: Common legal issues in Vietnamese M&A deals”. The main issues of discussion were foreign direct investment and general corporate & commercial matter. She advised ICHAM members who joined the conference about issues of structuring, negotiating and documenting their investment and transactions in Vietnam.

The second part of the workshop – “Tax Update/ New Tax Regulations 2013 –2014” - was chaired by Ms. Annett Perschmann Taubert, Tax Specialist/ Director, who introduced the international taxation system, including structuring of inbounds investments into Vietnam and advising on holding company structures.

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EUROCHAM & EVBN—OFFICE OPENING CEREMONY On 28th March, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), the EU-Vietnam Business Network (EVBN) and the CCIFV (French Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam) inaugurated their new joint offices in the Landmark building, 5B Ton Duc Thang Street, Ho Chi Minh City. Leading business leaders and representatives of the Delegation of the European Union in Vietnam and European Embassy and Consulate delegates attended the event. There was also the presence of Eurocham Vice-President Mr.Tomaso Andreatta, ICHAM President Mr.Michele D’Ercole, and ICE Director Bruna Santarelli.

From left: Pierre-Jean Marlgouyres, EVBN and CCIFV Chairman; Delphine Malard, Head of political section at the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, and Nicola Connolly, Chairwoman of EuroCham

From left: ICE Director Bruna Santarelli, EUROCHAM Vice President Tomaso Andreatta, ICHAM Office Manager Nguyen Thuong Thao and ICHAM President Michele D’Ercole

Michele D’Ercole with Delphine Malard

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OUTCOMING MISSION: VIETNAMESE BUYERS AT MECSPE FAIR, ITALY From March 24 to March 27, a delegation of eight Vietnamese buyers, accompanied by ICHAM Executive Director Mr. Pham Hoang Hai, participated in a trade mission in Emilia- Romagna.

The initiative, promoted by the Region Emilia - Romagna, Unioncamere Emilia - Romagna and Promec (Chamber of Commerce in Modena), in collaboration with ICHAM was organized in the framework of the Project "Destination Vietnam for the mechanical industries of the Emilia - Romagna".

The delegation of Vietnamese buyers met 34 Emilia-Romagna enterprises in two sessions of B2B meetings, who operate in the sector of mechanic at the Chambers of Commerce of ForlĂŹ and Modena.

A total of 90 meetings were a good opportunity for the eight Vietnamese buyers not only to express strong interest in the purchase of technology "Made in Italy", but also to tighten future collaborations of production with Italian companies.

Then on March 27th, the delegation visited MECSPE Exhibition in the Pavilions of Parma Fair, which is inaugurated by the Vietnamese Ambassador in Italy Mr. Hoang Long Nguyen, together with Ms. Palma Costi (President of the Legislative Assembly of the Region Emilia - Romagna), Mr. Andrea Zanlari (President of the Chamber of Commerce of Parma) and Mr. Gianfranco Ferilli (Vice President of Senaf).

In the opening ceremony, the Ambassador Mr. Nguyen Hoang Long stated: "I hope that the Vietnamese buyers present today, here at MECSPE, will be pioneers to many other Vietnamese companies. Vietnam is a market where Italian SMEs have several cards to play especially in the mechanical instrumental sector. Vietnamese companies, in order to grow, need training and qualified human resources. Italy is the ideal partner for us."

Vietnamese buyers during a presentation of the Chambers

MECSPE, the main point of reference in the field of specialized mechanics, was an opportunity for the Vietnamese buyers to take vision of the products of the Italian excellent manufacturing industry.

The mission in Emilia-Romagna, has indicated that the relationship between this region and Vietnam is solid and profitable and it wouldn’t be successful without the strong and permanent collaboration between ICHAM and Unioncamere Emilia - Romagna through "Desk Vietnam".

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B2B meeting between Vietnamese buyers and companies of Emilia-Romagna region

Visit to a hosting factory

A taste of Italian food for the guests

B2B meetings

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AREA MEETING 2014 & ELECTION OF ICHAM PRESIDENT AS AREA REPRESENTATIVE Area Meeting 2014 of the Italian Chambers of Commerce in Asia, UAE and South Africa was held from 4th to 6th April 2014 in Beijing, in Italian Institute of Culture, Italian Embassy of China.

Three days of meeting was a good occasion for the update of activities among Italian Chambers of Commerce in the area, a necessary meeting to consolidate the cooperation among the Chambers.

Italian investment abroad reached 30.397,3 million USD in 2012. Investment abroad is essential for the internationalization of the enterprises. The seminar underlined the strengths and weaknesses of different countries and in different economic sectors.

Opening the meeting were welcome speeches from Chairman of China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CICC) Mr. Franco Cutrupia, continued by the Italian Ambassador in China Mr. Alberto Bradanini and concluded by Mr. Leonardo Simonelli Santi, Assocamercaestero’s Chairman.

On the first day the delegates had the opportunity to listen to several examples of Italian presence in China. Rita Fatiguso, journalist of Il Sole24Ore, worked as a moderator at Round Table to represen-

The President of ICHAM Michele D’Ercole with the Italian Ambassador in China Mr. Alberto Bradanini

tatives from Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand on the discussion on the current commercial situation in the Asia-South Africa Area, to contribute with their bottom-up experiences about prospects for Italian investments and Italian export in Asia.

The second day focused on the election of Area Representative. Italian Chambers of Commerce in Asia, UAE and South Africa elected Mr. Michele D’Ercole, ICHAM President, as their Area representative. Later they brainstormed about different ways to increase their visibility towards Italian SMEs.

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From right: Vice President of Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan Fabrizio Cazzoli, with the President of Assocamernaestero Leonardo Simonelli and the newly elected Area Representative Michele D’Ercole

Round table led by the journalist of Il Sole 24 Ore, Rita Fatiguso

The Chambers of Commerce Representatives of Asia, EAU and South-Africa

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ICHAM ACCOMPANIED VIETNAMESE BUYERS TO COSMOPROF From 3 - 7 April, a delegation of 4 Vietnamese buyers, accopanied by ICHAM, participated in Cosmoprof Fair Worldwide Bologna and had meetings with more than 30 exhibitors who operate in cosmetics and beauty industry. This mission is a proof of the increasing interest of international trade exchange between Italy and Vietnam.

COSMOPROF WORLDWIDE BOLOGNA is the leading worldwide expo of various sectors of beauty and grooming. The expo was an international event in the field of cosmetics and beauty that includes fitness and medical as well. It will address various issues ranging from nails to cosmetics to enhance the overall person.

COSMOPROF organizers aimed at facilitating direct contact between exhibitors and international buyers through prescheduled appointments with selected importers and distributors from the global market. The event offered beauty companies multiple business opportunities tailored to their needs.

Vietnamese buyers

International Buyer Lounge

B2B meeting between vietnamese buyers and international cosmetics producers

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ARISTON THERMO INAUGURATES A NEW ESTABLISHMENT IN VIETNAM Ariston Thermo, the leading producer of heater systems, inaugurated on 11 April a new manufacturing establishment near Hanoi that will support the local market and the countries of Southeast Asia.

The new site will employ around 300 people and an area of over 50.000 squared meters with a production capacity of up to 1.000.000 water heaters per year. Thanks to this new establishment Ariston Thermo will be able to meet the needs of Southeast Asian market.

The inauguration is the arrival point of a long route of success for Ariston Thermo in Vietnam, where the group, with its presence since 1988, is the market leader with Ariston, one of the most famous Italian brands in the country.

The President and Executive Director of ICHAM were present at the inauguration with the Italian Ambassador Lorenzo Angeloni. Mr. Paolo Merloni, President of Ariston Thermo, said: “With this opening we strengthen our production capacity in South Asian countries, the area which is growing fast and of which Vietnam is the main point of our development strategy.

From left: ICHAM President Michele D’Ercole, Italian Ambassador Lorenzo Angeloni, and Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long

Ariston Thermo representatives with the Ambassador and the President of ICHAM

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MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT OF ITALIAN LINGUISTIC AND LITERATURE A welcoming celebration in honor of Mr. Marcello Silvestrini - Professor of the University for Foreigners in Perugia - was held at the Italian Language and Literature Department - University of Social Sciences and Humanities on 14th April, 2014 with the attendance of the General Consul of Ho Chi Minh City Mrs. Carlotta Colli, Representatives of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam and the professors as well as students of the department.

Professor Silvestrini announced that for the first time a book in Vietnamese for the learning and teaching of Italian language will be published. This is indeed a good news as the interest for the Italian language has increased gradually, especially in the South of Vietnam: the number of students enrolling in the Italian Language and Literature is now more than 150.

At the end of the meeting, Dean of the Department Mr. Truong Van Vy expressed his appreciation towards Italian institutions in Vietnam and his hope in the growth of cooperation between the two countries.

Mrs. Carlotta Colli with the Vice Dean of Italian Linguistic and Literature Department Mr. An Ho Hong

From left: ICHAM representatives Mr. Van Tinh Tran Le, Ms. Veronica Onesti, the General Consul of Ho Chi Minh City Mrs. Carlotta Colli, ICHAM Office Manager Ms. Thao Nguyen and Professor Silvestrini

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“COMMUNITY” INTERVIEWS ICHAM PRESIDENT The President of ICHAM Michele D’Ercole participated as guest on the program “Community”, led by Benedetta Rinaldi and broadcast all around the world by Rai Italia. Several episodes of TV show are also broadcast on the channel of RAI Thematic School.

The TV show addresses Italians who are abroad and proposes them interviews of Italians who love the world of emigration. The focus is on who leaves Italy. These are new stories, far away from the “historical” emigration. These Italians have new needs with more technologies in hand and they often have the return ticket, in addition to outbound ticket. Community was born especially for that: describing Italians abroad the “other Italy”. Become aware of a strong network of associations, clubs, individuals who love our Country as much as let it take priority. Thanks to their loyalty, often disinterested, Italy continues to be a The journalist Benedetta Parodi and the President of ICHAM Michele D’Ercole point of convergence of the world, a small country but rich of culture and talents.

The President explained different issues: first of all his recent designation as Representative of Italian Chambers of Commerce of Asia, UAE and South Africa, underlining that in such a rapid developing area the Italian Chambers of Commerce need to work in harmony to propose joint projects to enterprises; presentation of the book “Saperi, Diplomazia e Cooperazione” published on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Vietnam with a chapter about ICHAM history; indications on the most interesting sectors for Italian companies that want to invest in Vietnam. Finally among the main activities of the Chamber, Mr. D’Ercole presented two important projects: the first is the opening of DeskVietnam at Assolombarda in Milan in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy, and the second is “L’impresa in un Ciak” – a marketing and communication project with the purpose of promotion, through the making of video, Italian products to the Vietnamese market, realized in collaboration with Italian Embassy in Vietnam and Unioncamere Emilia Romagna.

These initiatives highlight how Vietnam is becoming more and more attractive for Italian companies that want to expand their business in Asia.

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The interview will be on air on 15th May 2014.

COMMUNITY Daily Schedule (Monday-Friday, afternoon slot) conducted in studio by Benedetta Rinaldi, with characters, stories, events, movies from Italian communities around the world.

And then: the Italian language, the most famous songs in the world, the door to the service of our fellow citizens in the five continents and the protagonists of Italian excellences.

From Monday to Friday: New York and Toronto: 6,00 pm Buenos Aires: 7,00 pm Ho Chi Minh City: 3,15 pm Pechino and Perth: 5,15 pm Sydney: 7,15 pm Johannesburg: 4,30 pm

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ICHAM AT NETWORKING EVENT “VIETNAM INTEGRITY ALLIANCE�

On April 22, 2014 at Sofitel Hotel in Hanoi, ICHAM participated in the networking event about anti-corruption and promoting integrity of businesses in Vietnam.

The event, organized by EuroCham, BBGV, Towards Experience and the British Embassy in Hanoi, welcomed business association leaders - Mr. David Priestley (Vice-Chairman of BBGV), Mr. David John Champion (ViceChairman of EuroCham), Mr. David Whitehead (Chairman of AusCham) and Mr. Gerry Constantino (Vice-Chairman of ECCP Philippines).

During the meeting led by Mr. Phil Newman (Towards Transparency Consultant), the "Vietnam Integrity Alliance" was introduced with the objective of calling for the engagement of organizations and the private sector in anti-corruption activities, and also to advance principles of integrity, transparency and accountability in Vietnam.

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OPENING CEREMONY GELATO ITALIA—ITALIAN ARTISAN GELATO Hanoi - April 27, 2014 GELATO ITALIA – ITALIAN ARTISAN GELATO located in 31 To Ngoc Van Street, Tay Ho District was officially inaugurated by the Italian Ambassador Mr. Lorenzo Angeloni.

The Ambassador said that he was very pleased with the opening of the first Italian ice cream shop in Hanoi and expressed his best wishes to the two owners Mr. Riccardo and Mr. Mirko.

GELATO ITALIA – ITALIAN ARTISAN GELATO is a novelty, in fact, thanks to the excellent ice cream and an extremely well cared environment is going to become a great meeting point for the Italian and foreign community in Hanoi .

GELATO ITALIA – ITALIAN ARTISAN GELATO aims to bring the taste of authentic Italian artisan ice cream in Vietnam, creating a perfect harmony between the ingredients directly imported from Italy, the flavors of the exotic products in Vietnam and the long experience of the two italians ice cream masters.

During the opening ceremony, the numerous guests had the opportunity to try for free all the 24 ice cream flavours out of doors or comfortably seated in the halls inside the shop.

All the guests, especially those belonging to the Italian community, have expressed great satisfaction for the ice cream and the environment, saying GELATO ITALIA – ITALIAN ARTISAN GELATO reminiscent of a real Italian Ice Cream shop.

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INTERVIEW WITH FEDERICO VASOLI AND RICCARDO BIANCO LEVRIN — DE MASI TADDEI VASOLI Interview to : Federico Vasoli, lawyer registered to the Order of Lawyer of Milan and admitted as foreign lawyer

by Ministry of Justice of Vietnam, partner of law firm associated with de Masi Taddei Vasoli (dMTV), & Riccardo Bianco Levrin, www.demasitaddeivasoli.com 1. Dear Riccardo e Federico, could you talk me about your first approach to Vietnam?

Riccardo: it was the year 1994, I’ve gone in Vietnam in a mission for CCISEA (Italian Chamber of Commerce for South-East Asia). I’ve been enchanted by Hanoi, an amazing cocktail of nature, culture and adventure. A leap into the past still present with the coming and going of bicycles, the elegant ao dai, the smile of people, the ochre houses, the centuries-old trees and the children who plaied soccer on the street…and I with them. Several months after, in the October 1995, after others missions, I have moved in Hanoi for ITS & SOGECRED of group BNL. Federico: Like different cases, during a holiday with my family in 2005, I felt in love with Vietnam, was a love at first sight. Even if were several years that I wanted to visit it both for tourism and work. I’d came back Vietnam after several months for a seminar about small and medium sized enterprises organized by Italian Embassy in Hanoi in collaboration with the Italian Cooperation: at that time leaded by the engineer Pietro Sequi; there I’ve met Riccardo and two years after we officialy have opened our branch-office in Hanoi.

2. Riccardo you live in Hanoi, you are married to My An and you have two awesome children. I know that you are in charge of fashion industry as well. How can you manage so many tasks and the family at the same time?

I’m married to My An for a generation. We have to children who are almost two teenagers: Giovanni e Carlotta.

I’m in charge of fashion for 15 years: we design, produce, supply our brand that has my last name. We work tirelessly like the best traditional family of small and medium enterprises of Italian or Vietnamese origin. Hard times for who work in our sector, but we are gratify for the liked work.

Federico, you spend a lot of hours, if not days, in flight between Asia and Europe. You should consider the plane your second house.

In this particolar period of my life I don’t know too where is my house, among Switzerland, Italy, Vietnam and Singapore! But I consider Vietnam as my second house and moreover other place in Asia (airport and the sound of traffic lights in Hong Kong, the old police’s station of Singapore, several means of transport, smells, noises…) I know quite well Europe for work, education, tourism, but Asia, particularly the South-East Asia, that region of Vietnam, has wined my love.

3. Riccardo, I know you are passionate about photograph, what element is essential to be a good photographer?

Riccardo: My passions are work, writing, soccer and martial arts. I have played soccer and practiced martial arts for such long time and I can combine them with my work activities. I am writing a little book with the purpose of explaining to my children Italian/Vietnamese, through experiences of life, my Vietnam: a funny dialogue with my children between Milan and Hanoi.

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4. And what do you like, Federico?

I have numerous interests and, if time permit, I try to cultivate all of them. I love music (when I was young I was in band and I sang in an unprofessional band) and I like a lot cinema (in Ho Chi Minh City, during one of my first journey in Vietnam, I have knew almost all the cast and the production of “Saigon Eclipse”, a movie based on an ancient Vietnamese story), the literature and the history. I’ve grown up involved in many sports and now, when I have time, I practice Krav Maga. But I’m awful soccer player, even if, sooner or later, Riccardo will convince me to play in his team!

5. Your legal office is one of the most renowned and important in the sector: international and national agreement, business and commercial (constitution, business structure, corporate agreement, merger and acquisition, scissions and enterprise transfer); bankruptcy, debt restructuring, Antitrust and competition; insurance, debt collections, royalties; work; taxation, settlement of disputes in Italy, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and members of Cooperation Council of the Gulf. Who has been the vanguard of this beautiful project?

Our office actually is a small office and sometimes I have the need of a structure more “corporate”, but our brand is the innovation match with tradition. I have to say thanks to many people, but the main thanks is for my mother, who has founded the office in 1979, on the notarial tradition of Taddei family and the legal of de Masi family.

My mother has always had a marked sense of innovation, which I hope to have acquire well, set up, since the first time, my career on the Chinese growth and after the rest of Asian.

A big thanks goes to Riccardo for his deep knowledge of Vietnam and his total dedication. Besides a reliable partner, I found a friend more wise, which who I can talk about everything, from politic to sport and love, besides work.

6. Moreover, you are in partnership with several legal offices in Austria, Belgium, England and Galles, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and the state of New York: I should affirm that you are a worldwide office. Do you have other ambitions and projects for the future?

First of all we have the desire to strengthen the presence and communication in Vietnam, the market that, beyond Europe and Italy, we better know.

At the same time in 2014 we will open a headquarter in Switzerland and in march I will deliver two lectures about Vietnam in England, a thanks goes to our partner office there: we should try to tie stronger our European alliance for projects in common.

In the next number perhaps we’ll deepen the issue a who knows how many projects will born. Surely we won’t be fixed!

7. How much the Vietnamese law has changed in these last years for the foreign investor? And how much the Vietnamese government can improve and adjust the legislation with WTO rule?

Federico: The Vietnamese legislation is more and more complex, and this, under a point of view is good for the Vietnamese lawyer who now deals with cases more detailed. However, usually the laws in Vietnam are generic and the numerous circulars after offer a discipline more detailed. Generally speaking, I think that a greater abundance of norms is good for foreigner investors, by this way they can find clear datum points.

I think that for the future the focus should be on clarity more than acquiescence to WTO norms: I’m thinking of sanitary norms, accounting, joint stock of an enterprise, and of a simplification of public administration, which is partly taking place with the introduction of Individual income tax return online.

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8. You have seen the metamorphosis of Asia and Vietnam last years. How do you see the future of the “two souls” (Vietnam and Asia), and what do you criticize of this development such rapid?

Riccardo: When I came to Vietnam I was deeply impressed by the attention on the education of children and the respect for the old people, who are bearer of virtues for the family and generally for the work’s activities as well. Unfortunatly in Asia and Vietnam this attention is blunting over the years. We are living in a period of great changes, where Asia is driving force of the world.

Federico: In Asia, as Europe and the world, the nations that compose the continent have numerous elements in common, but they are also rich of deep differences. Generally speaking, the powerful advancement of Asian continent had caused no equal distribution and huge damages for the environment and consumer safety. Since 2008 the issue of polarization of worldwide riches is in the center of political debate, so I think the fault isn’t just the rapid Asian development, that anyway has helped billion of people to get out of poverty, but the main damage is in the lacking of cultural growth, starting from Europe.

Lose culture means have big economical damages (think about the numerous small and medium sized italian enterprises that can’t let know their high quality products), but also social and historical damages (several weeks ago Vietnam and Cambodia have remembered the sad events of 1979 in Phnom Penh, so as similar tragic event won’t happen again.)

9. In the famous novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez, the Buendía Colombian family live in the city of Macondo. The forefather, founder di Macondo, José Arcadio Buendía and his wife Ursula Iguarán (and his cousin), leave Riohacha, in Colombia, in order to find a new life and new house. You, Riccardo, like the Buendías, here in Vietnam find a new dimension and new country. It was been a radical change! How you can did it?

Riccardo: I feel at home in Hanoi as well as in Milan. The same for my wife and children. Probably we are citizen of the world, with a market Y Viet or Viet Y accent.

10. The international crisis had brushed Vietnam. How? Riccardo: Unfortunately every time that Vietnam is going to take off it has to delay the departure.

From the financial crisis of Nineties to SARS and avian flu and finish with the financial crisis of these last years. Hope now it doesn’t being left behind.

Federico: my perception is that many Vietnamese plunger in 2008 were too much enthusiastic, while Vietnam was recording billion and billion direct foreign investment. Many had expected assets from abroad and a massive western presence in the country, that was reshaped by the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008-2009 before, and the worldwide crisis after.

Vietnam is a great country, but is not big, with limited financial resources, therefore the crisis feced against during a really fragile moment, when the develop of country was strong, but not strengthened yet, as instead was in main Chinese provinces.

11. Which kind of Italian entrepreneur ask your help during internationalization process?

Turn to us both small and medium sized enterprises, who composed the large part of Italian enterprises, but also bigger groups. The firsts usually ask us wide-ranging assistance, also practical aspects that aren’t core-business of a legal office, because their process of internationalization is often is essential for the survival of the enterprise ( outsource for demolish the unbearable costs, and they search new markets because the italian’s one is full); the seconds ask instead a in-depth legal analysis on issues of their interest. We are used and ready to both kind of job, and we like both. We

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don’t have a specialization for sector, because the internationalization involve everybody, also who don’t move Italy out, but that in Italy adopt business practices more close to foreigner competitor more advanced and so they become international as type of management.

Riccardo: I’m agree with Federico. I just want to say that the Italian businessman should inquire and research more before leaving the country.

Operating information should be collect at the Chambers of Commerce and Italian businessmen in loco.

Now let’s start with the “complex” part of the interview.

12. Every time a man dies, a whole universe is destroyed. One realizes this when one identifies oneself with that man” by Sir Karl Popper ( Vienna, 28 July 1902 – London, 17 September 1994) was a philosopher and epistemic Austrian naturalized in Britain. Don’t you think it’s a statement made to order for Nelson Mandela, recently died? Was he a visionary?

The lawyer Federico Vasoli

The lawyer Riccardo Bianco Levrin

Riccardo: Nelson Mandela has depicted and depicts the change. The positive change, in the right direction.

Federico: I was a child when Mandela was release, but I remember well that period, around 90’s, that had radical changes all around the world, like as the fall of Berlin Wall, and also for Italy, like Tangentopoli. The message of Mandela was been explosive and for this I think, yes, it was a visionary, even if million of person and I as well, were just simple passive spectators from a far country and, even if full of tensions, without racial problems like South-Africa.

I think that the phrase of Popper is valid for each man and not just for the main character of the history: I’m thinking to the less famous Frederik Willem de Klerk, still alive, who represented, whether he likes or not, the institution that has released Mandela, and I’m thinking to the numerous men faceless who for visions, dreams and simple personal ambitions, had made possible this and many others stunning historical events.

I’m from a country, Italy, where one of the biggest writer, Alessandro Manzoni, in his novel “ The Betrothed”, seems moved up the Popper’s thought, ascribed such importance to the life and history of two humble characters of the working-class who individually and unconsciously contribute to shape history.

In this, Italians and Europeans, are a little far from Asian culture, since generally we attribute a important value to life, rights and ambitions of individual, whoever he is.

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13. In the famous article of Foreign Affair of 1993 and in the book of three years after, Samuel Huntington foresaw “The Clash of Civilizations” as corollary unavoidable of the end of bipolar balance and the reorganization of the world about big “cultural faults”. The “Clash of Civilizations”: an idiomatic expression that became a torment.

Among the friction lines, particularly one had create his poisoned fruits: the one between West and Islam. But the violent conflict is the only prospect? Truly there aren’t alternatives to the annihilation of one of the two parts? Exists a prospective of a democratic Islam?

Federico: It’s a very difficult question and I don’t think to have the competences for completely answer it. I don’t know Islam well, even is I studied the Islamic law many years ago in Strasburg, I never deepened these dynamics. However, my simple though is that the two parts can live with peacefully. The West, I think, should set an example of civilization, culture and not only welfare and ethic weakness.

At the same time, the radical Islam should look at religions, starting from the Christianity and the moderate Islamic in countries where the Sharia doesn’t represent the national legal order, that even if maintaining a demanding of completeness, they can limit their demands in the private sphere and above all they can modernize such dogmas burn under historical environments that has nothing to do with the modernity.

All this should be conciliate with the local tradition, as like in Vietnam Tet is still celebrate, in Italy the lunar year is just by oriental community observed: it’s a great wrong conform every tradition.

14. Mrs. Bindi several months ago was appoint as Chief of Anti-mafia Department. For you, what does Mrs. Bindi do in that position? Doesn’t it look like as an ex Public Prosecutor of Milan who become professor and teaches at La Sapienza Univesity what subjunctives are? Isn’t it?

Riccardo: The President Bindi is an important figure in Italian political scene. Tomorrow is a new day.

Federico: Sincerely I can’t judge Mrs. Bindi’s competence on the issue. Certainly such key figures of the Republic are appointed for political reason instead on clear processes and which repay the merit. I don’t believe in technical governments, each government should give his political point of view – today is a lacking of point of view, due to the inadequate sense of the State, of ethics, od service and due to a lot of chooses come by finance and European Union and so the national governors have a little room for manoeuvre. But is essential that who have managerial positions have strong technical proficiencies, whereas a lot of politicians can’t keep up with their tasks, we can think to theme of culture again.

15. What do you ask for the new year?

Riccardo: the year of the wooden horse promises to be a difficult year, insidious, full of aggressiveness. That is what experts of Feng Shui say, and probably will be like this. A wild horse, the horse of 2014, who doesn’t want to be domesticated. We need a lot of patience and serenity for ride it. Isn’t possible to run the risk of fall down because it easy to run the risk of don’t get up again.

Federico: Meritocracy. Not only at the highest level but also in our field. I hope that effort of my family, of Riccardo, of our colleagues and mine will be recognized by the market and institutions which who we have the honor of collaborate with.

By Van Tinh—TRAN LE

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Newsletter N.2/2014

INTERVIEW WITH ANDREA FORNARO — PACORINI VIETNAM Co, Ltd 1. Hi Andrea, could you tell us how Pacorini Group is born?

The birth and the development of Pacorini Group are closely related to Pacorini’s family. The forefather Bruno has founded the society in 1933 in Trieste, but just around the mid ‘60s the company took the run-up to the success thanks to the two brothers Roberto and Federico. Effectively it specialized in green coffee sector and start to diversify and enlarge its activities, starting big investments in Italy and abroad.

The step-by-step transformation from familiar company to international Group allow to Pacorini to become one of the most important benchmark in coffee sector and in freight forwarding.

Just over 80 years from the birth, today we are a worldwide group, with headquarters in Brazil, USA, Europe, Middle East, Singapore, China and Vietnam, of course.

Andrea Fornaro More than 10% worldwide green coffee pass through Pacorini’s factories. Today we are very important for cacao as well. Moreover Pacorini reached a consolidate position in logistics, the freight forwarding and project cargo with a specialized section in the society.

2. What is the processing of coffee cleaning?

We are specialized in the cleaning and classification of green coffee (also called raw coffee). This is the coffee name before the roasting process. Through different machinery we guarantee the the final costumer a perfect cleaning before the roasting. For instance we have mechanical machinery that separate the coffee bean depending on gradation of color and geometrical shape, or some machinery that remove the stones from coffee avoiding to break the mill.

We have a division which is in charge of the cleaning and the improvement of the quality of green coffee through a complex system of vaporization of beans. This method is unique in Asia.

3. Explain me the Pacorini Vietnam. In how many provinces you are operative?

Nowadays Pacorini Vietnam has two factory in Dong Nai province, a warehouse for logistics in Buon Ma Thuot in Dak Lak province and a new factory in Da Lat, in the beautiful province of Lam Dong.

It’s our intention to open soon in Hai Phong.

4. What do you think about the evolution of logistics sector in future?

In a world as the world of today, without borders and limits the logistics has a essential function. But too often in this sector the enterprises fight each others just for more and more smaller profits.

5. The gain is son of a good strategy?

And a lot of luck…

6. How many responsibility do you have on your shoulder? How long are you operative in the sector?

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Last year I celebrate ten years of work in Pacorini. My career path it’s a continue challenge. Every day I learn something new and my vietnamese coworkers support me and so the responsibility have are balanced.

7. What would you like to change of Saigon?

I would like the motorbike drivers turn off the motorbikes when they are waiting for the traffic light’s green. Compulsory, such as the helmet.

8. For me, the Italian politics is a continuous suffering. It is a “show”, or better, an open air comedy and with no end.

The parties, even if of different colors, projects, and thoughts are all aspects of same hypocrisy, in other words the power. What is for you the politics?

Imagine new realities and work for fulfill them. But more often it’s mere administration of personal self.

9. “Also for the most important statesmen politics means it’s improvise and wish in the luck”, by Friedrich Nietzsche.

It’s true?

I think in large part it’s right. Above all I believe in the art of improvisation, as the ability of can analyze the situations time by time and act accordingly. It’s not easy, requires mental flexibility and flair, but I believe that is an important gift for a political leader.

10. How do you see the Italian role here in Indochina?

I really like the Casa Italia project, I wonder will be new advancements and us from the “south” could joint actively as well.

11. The Member of Parliament Micaela Biancofiore, several months ago has declared: “Three-fourths of women love money”. How important is money for you? And is true what parliamentary Biancofiore has declared? http://video.corriere.it/biancofiore-alfano-aveva-lingua-appiccicata-berlusconi/16d6dab0-5665-11e3-9a32-8b8b5da15961

The only positive note of the velocity which Italy changing governments is that several characters as Mrs. Biancofiore go fast away. The fact that the member of Parliament thinks to can observe a rule like this in an universal matter as the relation with money means that we are talking about silly things. Apart from it, I believe that the problems arise when money cease to be a means for live, and become a goal for which the man sacrifice his life. Or worst, sacrifice the life of others.

12. Once Ancelotti has declared: “ instead of preliminary of Champions League, I prefer other kind of preliminary!”

For you, what Ancelotti alluded of?

I don’t know…maybe the sense of wait before the curtain of opera is opened?

13. In the late night of 15 November 2013 during the match Sweden – Portugal for “Brazil 2014”, Sweden has been definitively excluded by the final phase of World Cup. Zlatan Ibrahimovic “get pissed off” and had a poisonous tongue as a Gaboon viper’s. A reporter has tried to ask him about the scratch on his face. Just a while and than the storm. “For the scratch you should ask to your wife!”. For you why the wife of report has scratched Ibra?” And why,

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with thousand of video cameras, nobody have seen the lady who went in field? And where fourth offical was? In your opinion FIFA should investigate?

Sure! FIFA can’t hush up similar violent actions. It’ intolerable.

And now the complex part of interview.

14. Do you like literature? If yes, who are your favorite writers?

Murakami, his books are journeys to discover the clefts more hidden of human sensitivity.

Saviano, who travels to discover the shadows of our society.

Paasilina, for fun lectures but high-quality.

15. In the collection “The Joy” of 1919 with the final title “Morning”, Ungaretti writes “ I illuminate with immensity”.

In your opinion he was on the plateau of Golden Triangle and ………! Could you continue, please?

He smoked leafs of tea…very good.

16. “Exist men who had never kill, but are one hundred times worst then who has killed six people”, thi is what Fëdor Michajlovič Dostoevskij has affirmed. I remember you that Dostoevskij isn’t a footbal player of inter in 90’s, as one of my cousins thinks. Please conclude the intervention.

Get to grade of malice it’s quite hard. It’s hard to speak about men generally, as well. I believe more in individual stories. In the worst stories often are hidden bright glimmers.

17. In the words of an Egyptian sociologist, in Muslim countries “the election have the effect of a flame that get closer to petrol”. Considering the experiences of Iraq and Afghanistan, the western democracy is exportable anywhere and all over the world?

This is a delicate issue. I believe we should keep in mind what Gandhi said: “Be the change you want to see in the world”. With this maxim Gandhi has defeated pacifically the most strong colonial Empire of the period. No in the theory of philosophical book, but in the reality. Too often, nowadays, is forgotten and this maxim and Gandhi’s thought is considered naïf.

The example is an important tool that can insert itself in the mind and leave seeds of change.

The example and the ideas circulation, if free from a sense of redemption, works better than some fighter-bomber.

By Van Tinh—TRAN LE, ICHAM councillor. Email: councillor@icham.org – van.tinh.tran.le@gmail.com

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Upcoming Events JUNE

NETPLUS 11th Edition led by ICHAM: “Italian Six Senses: Do it your way!”

JULY

LINEAPELLE Workshop & Seminar “Italian Leather Fashion: Autumn-Winter 2015”