Vietnam's privatisation drive 'offers potential for S'pore investors'

Singapore

BIG buy-ins by Singapore-listed heavyweights have recently turned the spotlight onto Vietnam's state-owned companies.

With rosy growth forecast for the economy, Vietnam is no stranger to foreign suitors - Singapore companies and funds among them.

The privatisation of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) - dubbed "equitisation" - involves an initial public offering (IPO), then further divestments of the communist Vietnamese government's shares to buyers both domestic and foreign.

The national Electricity of Vietnam Group held a roadshow in Singapore last month to drum up interest among foreign strategic investors for its Power Generation Corporation 3.

Le Hoai Anh, Vietnam country head for Credit Suisse, told The Business Times: "Singapore investors have been very active in Vietnam, both in the private sector and in SOEs. These investors have typically been blue-chip names, and further similar investment from Singapore would be welcome …