Non-equity modes - new model of trade cooperation
Employees manufacture car parts at the Sumi-Hanel Company at the Sai Dong B Industrial Zone in Hanoi
Shunji Karikomi from Waseda University in Japan was speaking at a seminar in Hanoi this week, themed “Non-equity modes (NEMs) in Vietnam, promoting new forms of trade between Japan and ASEAN,” co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) and the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC).
Non-equity modes trade is a new form of trade carried out by transnational corporations (TNCs) when conducting international business, according to Karikomi.
“It is especially common for TNCs to enlarge in foreign direct investment when manufacturing overseas. However, even if TNCs do not engage in equity participation (investment), NEMs of international production are still carried out,” he told the seminar.
With the recent economic growth, NEM trade was widely promoted and ultilised in Vietnam in several forms such as international subcontracting in manufacturing industries, contract farming in agriculture and fishery, international franchising in fast food and retail stores, variations of build-own-operate transfer arrangements and other concessions in infrastructure projects and management contracts in international hotel chains, said Vu Ba Phu, Director of Vietrade.
Karikomi said one of the salient features of NEMs was that TNCs do not directly own the business activities of local firms but have indirect control of activities.
Non-procession by TNCs provided many potential opportunities for local companies. Using NEMs operations, Vietnamese firms can take part in global value chains, he said.
Diffusion of technology can promote technological enhancement and, through it, can promote the involvement of local firms in global value chains, he added.
Local firms can also expand their businesses by using the brands of TNCs. They do not have to consider brand value and management.
However, NEM contracts are not guaranteed for long periods. A TNC can use a NEM partner as a test case before full-scale entry, but it can also easily terminate the contract and withdraw if local firms in other countries are more competitive, as the sunk costs are minimal. In such cases, technology, market access, job creation and stable income do not continue over the long term, he said.
TNC’s technical and managerial support may be limited because of the non-capital relationship. TNCs offer only low-skilled work to NEM partners so workers’ skills improve very slowly. Local NEM firms face not only opportunities but also challenges.
“The issues are various, business continuity, characteristic NEM issues, capacity building, initiative and local embeddedness. If local NEM firms can strategically use TNC’s know-how and technological skills by linking with them, they can build capacities to deal with these challenges,” he said.
GM_EN_PC_ARTICLE_Native_ads
GM_EN_PC_ARTICLE_Inpage_Banner
Related News
Trade in goods in the second half of August increases over US$ 5 billion
08:58 | 20/09/2024 Import-Export
Vietnam’s economy: Positive growth in both quantity and quality
10:13 | 17/09/2024 Headlines
Preliminary assessment of Vietnam international merchandise trade performance in the first half of August, 2024
15:44 | 12/09/2024 Customs Statistics
Latest News
Frozen durian - new growth potential for durian industry
16:20 | 20/09/2024 Import-Export
Vietnam’s frozen durian exports to China could reach 300 mln USD in 2024: Official
16:17 | 20/09/2024 Import-Export
US Commerce Department announces preliminary anti-dumping review results for Vietnamese catfish exports
16:15 | 20/09/2024 Import-Export
Textile and garment industry perseveres in overcoming difficulties and seizing opportunities from the market
08:59 | 20/09/2024 Import-Export
More News
Bac Lieu plans to become renewable energy export hub
15:26 | 19/09/2024 Import-Export
Vietnamese premium rice enters Canadian market
15:24 | 19/09/2024 Import-Export
Logistics industry faces green transition imperatives
10:17 | 19/09/2024 Import-Export
How are imported seafood products transferred to domestic consumption quarantined?
10:16 | 19/09/2024 Import-Export
Steel stocks chill as weak demand sends a shiver through the industry
15:34 | 18/09/2024 Import-Export
Vietnam's seafood exports continue recovery
15:26 | 18/09/2024 Import-Export
Vietnam-China trade turnover hits nearly 130.8 billion USD
20:31 | 17/09/2024 Import-Export
Many good signals for businesses to accelerate seafood exports
10:14 | 17/09/2024 Import-Export
Footwear industry takes bold steps towards green growth
16:08 | 16/09/2024 Import-Export
Your care
Frozen durian - new growth potential for durian industry
16:20 | 20/09/2024 Import-Export
Vietnam’s frozen durian exports to China could reach 300 mln USD in 2024: Official
16:17 | 20/09/2024 Import-Export
US Commerce Department announces preliminary anti-dumping review results for Vietnamese catfish exports
16:15 | 20/09/2024 Import-Export
Textile and garment industry perseveres in overcoming difficulties and seizing opportunities from the market
08:59 | 20/09/2024 Import-Export
Trade in goods in the second half of August increases over US$ 5 billion
08:58 | 20/09/2024 Import-Export