Recently, Professor Kenneth A. Gabriel from the United States-based University of Maryland, who is currently the President of AMVI LLC, led a working visit to Sao Mai Group. He was accompanied by leaders of the Vietnamese Business Association in the US. The visit, followed by his talk, drew special interests in the context of Vietnam integrating more deeply and broadly into the world.
Support for Sao Mai Group
As a mentor and a strategic partner of Sao Mai Group, Prof Kenneth A. Gabriel pledged to support the group to tap and develop the US market and train high-quality human resources. He also advised Sao Mai to invest and build an international university in the Mekong Delta with curriculum exchange with some leading universities in the US; and invest in a world-class hospital in the Mekong Delta. In addition, he would introduce some elite CEOs from the US to the leadership board of Sao Mai Group.
According to Prof Kenneth A. Gabriel, Sao Mai Group has sufficient factors to make great successes when investing in healthcare, education and trade services which are forecast to burgeon in the Mekong Delta in the future. “In the world, up to 95 percent of companies fail after five years of operation and only 30 percent exist in 10 years. And in the US, only about 1 percent of population gets richer, mainly successful businesspeople and 99 percent still lead a normal life. With its existing conditions, 20-years’ experience, and dynamic and enterprising executives, I believe Sao Mai Group will succeed and belong to the 1 percent group as in the US,” he added.
Confident to seize opportunities
During his visit to Vietnam, he held an exchange with more than 200 key staff members of Sao Mai Group. He analysed the boom of internet, information technology - new opportunities for rapid growth of companies. He also shared success secrets of US companies and analysed advantages and opportunities of Sao Mai Group when Vietnam joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. This is a necessary preparatory step for the group to enter into the TPP region.
Prof Gabriel told a tumbleweed story in the US. This shallow-rooted shrub grows in deserts. When the wind blows, it will be uprooted and tumble in the wind. When the wind stops blowing, it lies on the ground, takes root and continues to grow well. He compared tumbleweed to a new businessman. Only those who are not afraid to fail and dare to confront new challenges can achieve success. He said he is planning to invest in healthcare, education and trade services in the Mekong Delta. The cooperation with Sao Mai Group is a right choice because the Vietnamese company is also interested in these fields.
Attending the exchange meeting, Mr Ho Viet Hiep, Deputy Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee, raised a lot of questions to the US professor to seek good directions for the province in the time of international integration. He invited Prof Gabriel, his colleagues and leaders of the Vietnam Business Association in the US to act as mentors for An Giang province in policy-making and development planning, particularly concerning key products in trouble like pangasius, rice and tourism. “An Giang has richest tourism advantages in the Mekong Delta as it has both the Tien and Hau Rivers passing through, majestic Seven Mountains, unique Bung Binh Thien Lake, President Ton Duc Thang Memorial Monument, Oc Eo culture, Ba Chua Xu Mountain Temple and Sam Mountain Temple but tourism only contributes to 4 percent of GDP. Meanwhile, pangasius farmers and companies are in dire difficulty as exports face barriers in importing markets. Rice export is also in difficulty as prices have slumped. The provincial government always takes care of development but why small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still in a predicament?” he said. Prof Gabriel said that he is studying on the Mekong Delta and planning development strategies for it. He is ready to cooperate with An Giang to develop local strengths. If effectively developed, agriculture is not only a foundation but also a driving force of economic development.
After the exchange and experience sharing, Sao Mai Group, AMVI LLC Group, and the Vietnam Business Association in the US signed a development strategy cooperation agreement. Accordingly, AMVI LLC Group and the Vietnam Business Association in the US will support Sao Mai Group the following objectives:
- Supporting Sao Mai Group to tap and develop the US market for frozen seafood and Ranee high-grade fish oil;
- Training high-quality human resources for Sao Mai Group;
- Advising on the investment and construction of an international university in the Mekong Delta with the curriculum exchange with some leading universities in the US;
Advising on the investment in a world-class hospital in the Mekong Delta;
In addition, he would introduce some elite CEOs from the US to the leadership board of Sao Mai Group in the coming time.
Hoang Xuan
Vietnamese
