Lawyer in Vietnam Oliver Massmann BREAKING NEWS The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement VIETNAM WILL REAP HUGE BENEFITS

Trade ministers reached an agreement on the TPP on Monday (05 October 2015) after five days of intensive talks, following their failure to reach consensus in Hawaii in late July.
The TPP is one of the largest trade agreements ever to be negotiated, involving some of the largest nations in the world with an annual gross domestic product of nearly $28 trillion that represents roughly 40 percent of global GDP and one-third of world trade. Countries participating in the negotiations include those throughout the Asia- Pacific region, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. The TPP is touted to be the 21st century trade agreement, set a template for regional and global trade and investment and incorporate next-generation issues.
The TPP addresses a number of rising trade issues which have been stumbling blocks to global trade recently, such as e-commerce, financial services and cross-border electronic communications. Other cross-cutting issues are also covered, such as role of state-owned enterprises in the economy, government procurement, and other topics.
Vietnam would be the largest beneficiary of this trade pact as a result of its strong trade ties with the United States, and its highly competitive positions in industries such as manufacturing where China is gradually losing its competitive advantage. Vietnam is also considered as one of the countries among Japan, Malaysia, Brunei, New Zealand that the United States would like to establish formal trade agreements. Statistics shows that by participating in the TPP, Vietnam’s GDP would add an additional increase of 13.6% to the baseline scenario.

Some major points in the TPP are as follows:
Free trade zone: tariff and quotas have been long used as trade measures to protect domestic industries from cheap overseas goods and efficient sources of collecting revenue for the states, especially for developing ones. However, tariff and quotas have been used less compared with other non-tariff measures in the past years. With the TPP, tariff and non-tariff barriers are even reduced and removed more substantially across all trade in services and goods. TPP Parties, especially Vietnam, would gain many benefits from the upcoming business opportunities and open market access resulting from the trade pact.
Trade in goods
With tariff and non-tariff reduction and elimination on industrial goods, high quality- jobs will be supported and trade in a 800-million people market will increase. Most tariff elimination will be implemented immediately, with tariff on some other products will be reduced over a committed period of time. For elimination and reduction of restrictive policies on agricultural goods, food security will be enhanced. Vietnam’s agricultural products will have more opportunities to be exported to other TPP members and gain their competitive advantage due to cheap labors and natural endowments.
Trade in services
Trade in services is of utmost importance to all TPP Parties. Thus, all 12 countries give consent to a liberalized trade in this area. Besides incorporating basic WTO principles (national treatment, most-favored nation treatment, market access, and local presence), the TPP takes a negative approach, meaning that their markets are fully opened to service suppliers from other TPP Parties, except otherwise indicated in their commitments.
Comprehensive trade: The TPP includes commitments that seek to encourage participation and development of businesses of all levels and sizes. Small-and medium-sized businesses, which are quite popular in Vietnam, will receive assistance from other countries to understand the agreement, take advantage of their opportunities, build their own trade capacity to grow fast in the future.
Government procurement: All TPP parties commit to ensure transparent, predictable and non-discriminatory government procurement markets. National treatment and non-discrimination are core principles. Governments undertake to timely publish information on tender, allow sufficient time for bidders to prepare for and submit bids, maintain confidentiality of tenders. The TPP also requires its Parties assess bids based on fair and objective principles, evaluate and award bids only based on criteria set out in notices and tender documentation, create an effective regime for complaints and settling disputes, etc. These rules require all Parties, especially Vietnam, in the context of China’s bidders predominantly win the bids with cheap offer price but low-quality services, to reform their bidding procedures and protect their own interests by disqualifying tenders with poor performance and low capacity.
State-owned enterprises: Vietnam and Malaysia have many state-owned enterprises. The United States and others have some as well which are involved in public services and other activities. TPP negotiators have place emphasis on how to regulate operation of such enterprises, preferential treatment granted to these enterprises, non-discrimination of the state-owned enterprises against other countries’ goods and services. Participating in the TPP would then be a driving force for Vietnam in its privatization process of 432 state-owned enterprises in the 2014-2015 period. The remaining Vietnamese state-owned enterprise will also need to undergo strict reform procedures to meet standard requirements in the TPP.
Transparency and anti-corruption: The TPP includes rules on goods governance, bribery and corrosive anti-corruption, which have long been considered as one of the factors that discourage investors when deciding their business expansion, especially in countries like Vietnam with corruption index ranking Number 119 out of 175 countries globally according to Transparency International. The TPP Parties have agreed on adopting or maintaining laws criminalizing corruption behaviors by a public official affecting international trade or investment. Parties also commit to effectively enforce their anticorruption laws and regulations. As part of the TPP, Vietnam’s business environment in terms of transparency and “cleanliness” would be much improved, paving the way for more foreign investment in the upcoming time.
Other important trade and trade-related issues are covered in 30 chapters of the TPP, ranging from customs and trade facilitation; sanitary and phytosanitary measures; technical barriers to trade; trade remedies; investment; intellectual property; labor; environment; dispute settlement; etc. All TPP parties are conducting procedures to release the text of the agreement, which would then have to be approved domestically in each country member.
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Please do not hesitate to contact Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com if you have any questions or want to know more details on the above. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC.

Lawyer in Vietnam Oliver Massmann Solar Power Vietnam Breaking News: First Ever Regulations GOVERNMENT’S INCENTIVES TO DEVELOP SOLAR POWER PROJECTS IN VIETNAM

Vietnam is among the countries with the world’s highest annual sunshine allocation on the world’s solar radiation map. This is an advantage for Vietnam in its efforts to develop a solar power industry, in the context of increasing demand for electricity and the potential risks of traditional electricity production sources.
To encourage investment in renewable energy projects, the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has proposed the first Draft Decision of the Prime Minister on incentives for solar power projects, especially in terms of investment capital, tax and land use rights. These incentives would apply to power generation projects using the photovoltaic method. The following analysis is based on the latest Draft Decision, which will be subject to further changes when the official decision is adopted.
Investment incentives
Investment capital: Investors may mobilize capital from domestic or overseas organizations and individuals to invest in solar power projects. Such projects are entitled to investment credit and export credit incentives. In particular, investors could apply for a loan of up to 70 percent of the total investment capital of their project with a maximum term of 12 years. Moreover, investors could also enjoy export credit incentives in a loan of up to 85 percent of the export/import contract value, also with a maximum term of 12 years.
Import duty: Solar power projects are exempted from an import duty on those goods imported to create fixed assets of the projects; these include components, materials and semi-finished products that are not available in Vietnam and that are needed for the project’s operation.
Corporate income tax: According to current taxation regulations, solar power projects will also enjoy the same corporate income tax exemption and reduction as projects in sectors that are receiving investment incentives. For example, a corporate income tax rate of 10 percent will be applied for 15 years, tax exemptions will occur within four years and taxes will be reduced by 50 percent in the next nine years.
Land: Solar power projects, lines and transformer stations connected to the national grid enjoy the same exemptions and reductions in land use and land rental as projects entitled to special investment treatment. Such incentives, among other things, include exemption of land rental within three years from the operation date of the project.
Who will be the off-taker?
According to the Draft Decision, the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) or its authorized member units will be the power purchaser. The power sale and purchase will be conducted by negotiating and signing the power sale and purchase agreement according to the template agreement stipulated by the MOIT. Terms of the agreement extend 20 years from the commercial operation date of the project. Duane Morris will continue to monitor the issuance of the template agreement by the MOIT.
Feed-in-tariff (FIT) rate
EVN is responsible for buying the whole electric output from solar power projects, with the electric buying price at the point of electricity receipt to be 1,800 Vietnamese dong/kwh and 3,500 Vietnamese dong/kWh (equivalent to 12 U.S. cents/kWh and 16.7 U.S. cents/kWh).
For solar power projects installed on the roof of a house connected to the grid, if the electricty generated is more than that consumed, the difference to be bought at the point of electricity receipt is 3,150 Vietnamese dong/kWh (not including VAT, equivalent to 15 U.S. cents/kWh). This price will be adjusted based on the fluctuation rate between the Vietnamese dong and U.S. dollar. If the electricity generated is less than that consumed, the electricity received from the grid must be paid at the normal commercial price charged by the electricity purchaser.
The above FIT rate is still low compared to other neighboring Asian countries. In Thailand, the new FIT is THB 5.66/KWh (about 15.7 U.S. cents/kWh) for a solar farm of less than 90MW. For a solar rooftop, the FIT rate varies depending on the capacity of the project. With a solar rooftop of 250–1,000 KW, the FIT would be THB 6.01/kWh (about 17 U.S. cents/kWh). The FIT for solar rooftops of 10–250 KW and less than 10KW are THB 6.40/kWh (about 18 U.S. cents/kWh) and THB 6.96/kWh (about 19 U.S. cents/kWh), respectively. In the current Draft Decision, Vietnam does not draw any difference between the capacity of the solar rooftop projects but sets the FIT rate based on the difference between electricity consumed and generated. Meanwhile, the FIT in the Philippines for solar power projects is also higher than that of Vietnam, i.e., P 9.68/kWh (equivalent to 21 U.S. cents/kWh). As Vietnam’s FIT is still in the drafting process and not yet final, the anticipation is high for this to be amended in the next draft to reach regional levels. This is of vital importance to attract investment.
Conclusion
If the Draft Decision is adopted, it would be the first-ever legal document regulating solar energy in Vietnam. The Government of Vietnam strives to attract foreign investment in the sector and to take full advantage of the plentiful solar energy—an average solar radiation of 5kWh/m2 per day—across Vietnam. Foreign investors, especially those in the U.S, have been eyeing Vietnam for their investment in clean energy. The Government of Vietnam is aware of the need to garner support for these projects and is offering incentives. While these projects may not meet investors’ expectations in the immediate future, the movement appears positive. The developing agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), affecting Vietnam, the United States and 10 other countries, points the way toward a developing energy sector in general—and clean energy in particular. Therefore, these factors suggest a growing market and plenty of investment incentives for U.S investors, as well as other members of the TPP.
Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC. Mr. Massmann practices in the area of corporate international taxation and on power/water projects, matters related to oil and gas companies and telecoms, privatization and equitization, mergers and acquisitions, and general commercial matters for multinational clients in relation to investment and doing business in Vietnam. He can be reached at omassmann@duanemorris.com.

Disclaimer: This article is prepared and published for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s law firm or its individual partners.

Lawyer in Vietnam Oliver Massmann New Decree Guiding Enterprise Law on Enterprise Registration – Quicker Timeline and Simplified Procedure

On 14 September 2015, the Government issued Decree No. 78/2015/ND-CP on enterprise registration (“Decree 78”). This is a long-awaited decree guiding the 2014 Enterprise Law, replacing Decree No. 43/2010/ND-CP on enterprise registration and Decree No. 05/2013/ND-CP amending Decree No. 43/2010/ND-CP on administrative procedures. Decree 78 will take effect on 01 November 2015. Some positive changes of this new decree are discussed below:
Enterprises are now able to register their operation online
Online enterprise registration is a procedure carried out by the owner of the enterprise or the enterprise itself via the National information gate on enterprise registration.
Online enterprise registration dossier includes the same documents as required by the paper dossier and are converted into electronic form. Online enterprise registration dossier has the same validity as the usual paper one.
Who can execute the enterprise registration documents
The 2014 Enterprise Law allows enterprises to have more than one legal representatives. Signature of each legal representative in enterprise registration documents has the same legal validity. In addition, not only the owner of the enterprise but also the enterprise itself (through its legal representative(s)) could execute the enterprise registration documents and holds responsible for the lawfulness, accuracy and truthfulness of the declared information in the dossier.
Decree 78 no longer requires enterprises:
– Register changes in enterprise registration content within 10 working days from the date the enterprise decides on the changes, except as otherwise required by law;
– Submit their financial statements to the business registration authority in accordance with the law.
Role of the Request for enterprise registration and the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)
The ERC concurrently serves as the Tax Registration of the enterprise and the ERC is not a business license. In case there is any inconsistency between the electronic ERC, Branch Registration Certificate, Representative Office Registration Certificate, Certificate on business location and the paper ones, the one which records information in the enterprise registration dossier has legal validity.
Each enterprise is issued with an enterprise code indicated in the ERC. This code is no longer the business registration code but tax code of the enterprise.
Simplified enterprise registration procedure
In an attempt to reforming administrative procedures and fighting against corruption, Decree 78 clearly states that the enterprise registration authority is not allowed to request for additional documents or other documents not required in the enterprise registration dossier by the law. In this regards, the number of required documents in the application dossier is also reduced significantly.
Time to get an ERC after submission of a valid dossier is shortened to three working days instead of five working days as previously. However, it needs to be seen in practice whether the authority sticks to this timeline.
In case there is any change to the business lines of the enterprise, it does no longer have to register the new business lines but only needs to notify the authority on the same. The notification dossier removes documents confirming the legal capital by the authority in case the new business line requires legal capital; or a valid copy of the certificate of practising for individual according to the specialized areas.
Notably, in a joint stock company, if a founding shareholder has not fully paid for the registered shares, it will automatically no longer be company’s shareholder and its name will be removed from the list of founding shareholders of the company.
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Please do not hesitate to contact Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com if you have any questions or want to know more details on the above. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC.

Lawyer in Vietnam Oliver Massmann Core Features of new Investment Law for Investors

1) In your opinion, what are the most important features of the new investment law from an investor’s perspective?

It is considered as the most-investor friendly investment law ever in Vietnam. It provides clearer investment procedure timeline, consolidated conditional business sectors, defined capital ratio to be qualified as foreign investors which determines which licensing procedure applies. Notably, it explicitly states that there would be no investment registration certificate required for M&A transaction.

2) What impact do you expect these to have? How effective do you think this law will be?

The investment environment will become more attractive. Investors would face less burdens and unexpected statutory requirements. A new wave of M&A is expected to come. However, the real effectiveness of this law would need to be assessed at a later stage when the implementing decrees are issued. As long as these documents have not been adopted, positive changes that the new investment law is said to bring are just theoretical.

3) How does this law fit in with the current investment climate of Vietnam, and the growth and development path the country is taking?

Vietnam is making great efforts to integrate into the world’s economy. The EU-Vietnam FTA is at the final stage whereas the TPP is also expected to be concluded soon. The Government of Vietnam is fiercely improving the business and investment environment and making great attempts to achieve key economic indicators of top regional countries until 2016. Resolution No. 19/NQ-CP/2015 of the Government dated 12 March 2015 has set out the Government’s strong commitments and positive changes to improve the business environment and strengthen the economy’s ability to compete in 2015 and 2016 by pushing for reforms to reduce time-consuming and burdensome administrative procedures; enhancing governmental offices’ transparency and accountability; and adopting international standards. These positive changes could be seen clearly in the tax, insurance and customs related sectors.

Please do not hesitate to contact Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com if you have any questions or want to know more details on the above. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC.

INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS IN VIETNAM? VISIT: www.vietnamlaws.xyz

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

ベトナムの弁護士 オリバー・マスマン 電力部門における分配の自由化-ビジネス参入のチャンス?

1. 近年の電力・ガソリン・石炭配給の独占状態が解消することにより経済上で期待される好影響は何か?
「回答」ベトナム電力市場では、ベトナム電力(EVN)が電力送電、配給に関して独占状態であると知られており、ベトナムは未だにオングリッド独自の電力計画で生成される全ての電力をENVが購入するといった一人売り手形態の特徴があります。投資家はEVNと電力売買契約(PPA)の交渉をすることは非常に困難だと認識しています。一方でEVNはペトロベトナム社とヴィナコミン社に対し膨大な負債をし続けています。
 国家独占状態を対象とする商品やサービスのリストの採用はEVNの電力独占状態に制限をすると予想されています。国家は多目的水力発電や原子力発電、送電の運営などと同様に巨大発電所の国家電力システムの事業運営をすることで独占状態を維持してきましたし、社会経済や国防、国家安全保障に関して非常に重要性を持っていました。石油やオイルの取引はもはや国家独占の対象となりません。
 これは市場介入への国際協定やいくつかの国営企業の民営化計画に従い、政府にとってポジティブな動きでもあります。政府は2016年の初めに施行予定のベトナムの電力卸売市場への一歩を踏み出しました。電力市場に今後多くの投資家が参入すると予想されています。消費者は誰から電気を購入するかという選択肢が増えていくでしょうし、競争性が高く、公平な電力市場が徐々に形成され、結果として非常に魅力的な投資環境になっていくと期待されています。
2. 個人投資家、特に外国人投資家にとってどのように重要となるか?
「回答」競争性が高く、参入しやすい市場になることで、外国人投資家はこの分野への投資をより魅力的に感じるでしょう。もはや生成した電力をEVNに販売する必要がなくなり、他の配給会社へ売ることや、独自のシステムを介して配給、送電することが可能になります。
 外国人投資家はまたEVNと電力価格の交渉をするといった障害から解消されます。近年のバンベト証券株式会社の調査によると、ベトナムの電力小売価格は2005年の781VND/kWh (3.5 US cents/ kWh)から2015年には1,622VND/kWh (7.3 US cents/ kWh)と、この10年間で約2倍に上昇しましたが、カンボジア、タイ、シンガポールなどAPECの他国に比べるとまだ低い状態です。これが投資家にとってこの分野に出資するのを躊躇う主な原因となっています。しかし、投資家の為の資本の回復と合理的な利益を確保することを目的とする電力事業計画によると、電力価格は2016年から値上げする予定です。従って、電力小売価格は2020年には8-9 US cents/ kWh値上げするとみられ、今後5年以内に18.4%まで上昇すると予想されています。電力価格は市場の需要、供給を反映し、外国人投資家は投資決定しやすくなると期待されています。
3. 経済の独占状態を減少させるためにベトナム政府に対してどのような助言があるか?
 ベトナムは市場経済の地位を確立している途中段階です。この目的を実現するために、政府は市場への介入を制限し、公正な競争性を作り出し、独自に運営可能な市場にする必要があります。多くの国々では、公正な競争性は独占状態の可能性を制限することにより作り出されています。もし単に政府が市場状況に応じて価格変動だけを許可する場合は、独占状態がさらに続き、市場に影響を及ぼす可能性があります。また、価格規定や独占状態の減少と同様に、政府は民営化計画を促進させ、投資家たちの為に真の競争性の高い市場を作りだす必要があります。
〈ご注意〉こちらの記事は皆様に情報をお届けする目的でのみ作成・掲載しておりますので、法的なアドバイスとして提供・構成することを目的としておりません。詳細につきましては、当法律事務所の注意書きをご一読下さい。
オリバー・マスマンはドウェイン・モリス・ベトナム法律事務所のディレクターです。ご質問等はomassmann@duanemorris.comまでご連絡ください

Endlich – Ausländer können in Vietnam Häuser und Eigentumswohnung erwerben

Vietnam – Sie sind Ausländer und wollen ein Haus oder eine Eigentumswohnung erwerben?
Kommen sie zu uns! Wir helfen Ihnen damit auch alles richtig funktioniert

Seit dem 1. Juli 2015 gelten die neuen Gesetze zum Wohnungsbau und Immobilienhandel. Diese beiden Gesetze erlauben es nun auch Ausländern Grund und Boden sowie Häuser und Eigentumswohnungen zu erwerben. Am 10. September 2015 wurde die Implementierungsrichtlinie zum Gesetz zum Immobilienhandel erlassen und wirft endlich Licht auf das Gesetz. Die Richtlinie wird ab dem 01. November in Kraft treten. Für die anderen Gesetze für die es noch keine Umsetzungsrichtlinien gibt har das Bauministerium die zuständigen Stellen angewiesen, sich an die neuen Gesetze zu halten und bis es Umsetzungsrichtlinien gibt, sollen die Behörden die Gesetze mit Hilfe der Richtlinien zu den alten Gesetzen auslegen solange es dadurch nicht zu einer Verletzung des neuen Rechtes kommt. Details werden nun im Folgenden erklärt.

1. Eigentumserwerb

Das Gesetz zum Wohnungsbau besagt, dass es Privatpersonen, denen die Einreise gestattet ist und die nicht mit speziellen Rechten ausgestattet sind oder diplomatische oder konsularische Immunität genießen, nun erlaubt ist, Wohneigentum in Vietnam zu haben. Die Regierung wird detaillierte Richtlinien erlassen, die es ausländische Privatpersonen erleichtern soll, den Eigentumserwerb auf rechtlich sicheren Boden zu stellen. Diese Richtlinien sind jedoch leider noch nicht erlassen worden.
Investoren und juristische Personen können Wohneigentum zu Investmentzwecken erwerben. Es muss jedoch ein Investment-Zertifikat vorgelegt werden, welches im Falle einer erstmaligen unternehmerischen Tätigkeit zunächst beantragt werden muss.
Ganz grundsätzlich müssen die Projekte im Einklang mit dem neuen Gesetz zum Wohnungsbau sowie anderen relevanten Gesetzen sein.

Es gibt zwei verschiedene Möglichkeiten für ausländische Privatpersonen und Organisationen Eigentum zu erwerben. Zum einen kann es sich um ein Investitionsprojekt handeln, bei dem in den Bau von Wohneigentum investiert wird, zum anderen ist es auch möglich, dass das Wohnhaus oder die Eigentumswohnung nach Fertigstellung erworben wird.
Für ausländische Privatpersonen, die mit einem vietnamesischen Staatsbürger verheiratet sind, geht das Gesetz sogar noch weiter und stellt sie auf eine Stufe mit vietnamesischen Staatsbürgern und gibt ihnen dieselben Rechte wie vietnamesischen Staatsbürgern, die Möglichkeit auch langfristig Eigentum zu erwerben.

2. Beschränkungen

Es muss jedoch beachtet werden, dass man in Vietnam als Ausländer Eigentum nur auf 50 Jahre erwerben kann. Die vietnamesische Regierung kann diese Zeitspanne jedoch auch auf Antrag verlängern. Nach dem neuen Gesetz ist es sogar erlaubt, das Wohngebäude zu vererben, solange es in der vorgesehen Zeitspanne geschieht.

Es gibt jedoch Beschränkungen, eine davon betrifft vor allem den Umfang an möglichem Wohneigentum. Der Erwerb ist beschränkt auf 30% der Wohnungseinheiten in einem Gebäude oder 250 Häuser in einem Gebiet. Artikel 68.4 des vierten Entwurfs Dekret zu LRH limitiert jedoch noch weiter, dass ausländische juristische oder natürliche Personen von max. 10% des gesamten Wohnraums in einem Gebiet Eigentümer sein dürfen. Das vierte Entwurf Dekret führt eine weitere Einschränkung ein, während Artikel 159.2 (b) des Gesetzes zum Wohnungsbau ausländischen natürlichen oder juristischen Personen es nur verbietet sich Häuser innerhalb der nationalen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsbereiche zu kaufen. Das Entwurf Dekret erweitert dieses Verbot und verbietet es, dass ausländische natürliche oder juristische Personen Eigentum in Gebieten erwerben, in denen Ausländern schon nach dem Gesetz für Aufenthalt und Reise der Aufenthalt beschränkt oder verboten wird.

Die Entwicklung dieser Regelung bleibt also abzuwarten.

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Bitte zögern Sie nicht und kontaktieren Herrn Massmann unter omassmann@duanemorris.com; falls Sie die Chance ergreifen möchten und Eigentum erwerben wollen oder falls Sie Fragen zu dem oben gelesenen haben sollten. Oliver Massmann ist Generaldirektor und Partner der US Kanzlei Duane Morris in Vietnam.

Foreign ownership of houses and condominium in Vietnam is now possible

Vietnam – You are a foreigner and want to buy a House or Condominium ?
Come to us! We help you to succeed

Since 1st July 2015 two new laws are in place, the Law on Real Estate Business and the Law on Residential Housing. Those laws allow foreigners to purchase Real Estate, Houses and Condos. On 10 September 2015, the Decree implementing the Law on Real Estate Business is adopted, shedding light on provisions of the related law. The guidance will start taking effect from 01 November 2015. For other provisions that have not received any implementation guidance yet, the Ministry of Construction instructed the authorities to follow the new law and until the new implementation rules are available, the new law should be implemented according to the old implementation guidelines as long as it does not breach the new law. Details will be explained below.

1. The right to own property

The Law on Residential Housing provides that foreign individuals who are permitted to enter the country are allowed to own property in Vietnam. They should also not belong to the category who are entitled to preferential treatment rights, or diplomatic or consulate immunities in accordance to law. The Government will issue a detailed guidance on how foreign individuals could provide its eligibility to own property in Vietnam. This guidance is, unfortunately, not in place yet.

Foreign investors and organizations are allowed to purchase real estate with an investment purpose. The investor or organization will need an Investment Certificate (or Investment Registration Certificate under the new Investment Law). From a general perspective, domestic investors or foreign investors who already have existing projects in Vietnam can easily meet easily this requirement. However, it could be problematic for investors who make first time investment in Vietnam with the investment project being the transferred one.

In general, there are two different possibilities to become owner of property in Vietnam. The first option is to make investment in construction projects of residential housing in Vietnam. The second option is to purchase the house or condo after its completion of construction.

The Law on Residential Housing is granting even more rights to foreign individuals who are married to a Vietnamese citizen, whereas they have the same rights as Vietnamese citizens and have the opportunity to purchase property on a long-term basis.

2. Restrictions

It must be noted that foreigners can only own houses for a duration of 50 years. The Government puts an exemption in place and can decide itself after application if and for how long it will extend the ownership duration.

Under Article 161.2(a) of the Law on Residential Housing, foreign individuals and foreign invested enterprises are able to purchase multiple properties in a residential development project including buildings and separate landed villas/townhouses. The maximum quantity allowed to purchase is 30% of the total units in a building and 250 houses in a local area. However, Article 68.4 of the fourth Draft Decree of the Law on Residential Housing limits that foreign organizations/ individuals may only own maximum 10% of the total number of individual housing in each residential housing project. This could be a restriction not in compliance with the Law on Residential Housing.

Another restriction in the fourth Draft Decree of the Law on Residential Housing is also introduced. While Article 159.2(b) of the Law on Residential Housing only prohibits foreign individuals and organizations from buying houses in national defense and security area, Article 67 of the fourth Draft Decree of the Law on Residential Housing does not allow them to own residential houses in areas where foreigners are prohibited or restricted from residing or traveling as stipulated under the Law on Residence and Travel.

The development of this regulation needs to be awaited.

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Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com; if you wish to take the opportunity and purchase property or if you have any questions on the above. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC.

Lawyer in Vietnam Oliver Massmann Liberalization of Distribution in Power Sector – Your Chance to get into business ?

1. What positive impacts will the absence of the current monopoly in distribution and production of power, petrol and coal have on the economy?

Answer: In Vietnam’s energy market, EVN has long been known as the state monopoly in transmission and distribution of electricity. Vietnam still features the Single Buyer Model with EVN’s purchase of all electricity generated from on-grid independent power projects. Investors find it extremely hard to negotiate the Power Purchase Agreement with EVN. Meanwhile, EVN keeps operating at loss with huge debts to PetroVietnam and Vinacomin.
The adoption of the list of goods and services subject to state monopoly will then limit the power of EVN. The State only maintains its monopoly over the operation of multi-purposes hydropower and nuclear power plants, transmission, facilitating as well as operation of the national electricity system of big power plants and those having special importance in terms of socio-economic and national defence and security. Trading in petroleum and oil is also no longer subject to state monopoly.
This is a positive movement of the Government in accordance with its international commitments on market access and its plan on privatization of certain state-owned enterprises. The Government has taken a step closer to Vietnam Wholesale Electricity Market, which is aimed to be launched at the beginning of 2016. More players will participate in the power market. The consumers would have more choices from whom they will buy electricity. A competitive and fair power market will be gradually formed, resulting in greater attraction to investment.

2. How important is it to private investors, especially foreign ones?
Answer: With an open and competitive market, foreign investors will find it more attractive to invest in this sector. They are now no longer required to sell the electricity they generate to EVN but can sell it to other distribution companies or even transmit/ distribute through their own system.
Foreign investors will also no longer face obstacles in negotiating the power price with the EVN. According to a recent report by Ban Viet Securities Joint Stock Company, although power retail price in Vietnam has doubled during the past ten years, from VND 781/kWh (3.5 US cents/ kWh) in 2005 to VND1,622/ kWh (7.3 US cents/ kWh) in 2015, this is still low compared with other countries like Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore in the APEC. This is among major reasons that discourage investors from pooling their capital into the sector. However, power price is planned to increase from 2016 according to power increase schedule, which aims to ensure capital recovery and reasonable profits for investors. Accordingly, power retail price may increase at 8-9 US cents/ kWh in 2020, equivalent to an increase by 18.4% within the next five years. Power price should also reflect the demand and supply in the market. Foreign investors then find more incentives when making their investment decision.

3. What is your recommendation for Vietnam’s government to reduce its monopoly over the economy?
Vietnam is on its way to obtain its market economy status. In order to realize this objective, the Government should limit its intervention in the market, create fair competition and allow the market to operate on its own. In many countries, fair competition is created by limiting the possibility of monopoly. If the Government only allows the price to fluctuate according to the market situation, there will still be monopolies dominating and influencing the market. Then, together with the price policies and reduction in its monopoly, the Government should expedite the privatization process, make it substantial in nature to effectively create a real competitive market for the players.
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Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com if you have any questions on the above. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC.

Anwalt in Vietnam Oliver Massmann Bergbau

Vietnams Wirtschaft hängt stark vom Bergbau ab. Die Direktive Nr. 2/CT-TTg vom Januar 2012 und das Dekret Nr. 15/2015/ND-CP sowie ein Besuch des australischen Premier Ministers haben die Bedeutung der Benutzung von modernen und hochtechnologisiert Bergbaugerätschaften hervorgehoben. Trotzdem ist die Gesetzgebung, welche den Bergbausektor betrifft sowohl für ausländische als auch für lokale Investoren ungünstig, vor allem gibt es hohe Lizenzgebühren und Steuern sowie weitere Abgaben, auf die im Folgenden eingegangen wird:
• Zahlung für das Bergbaurecht: Um das Abbaurecht für beispielsweise Erz zu erhalten, müssen die Unternehmen gemäß dem Dekret Nr. 203/2013/ND-CP eine Zahlung von 1-5% des Wertes des reinen Erzes tätigen. Diese Abgabe ist nicht praktisch und wird ausländische Unternehmen davon abhalten in die Bergbauindustrie zu investieren. Der Grund dafür liegt wohl darin, dass viel zu viel für die Abbau- und Bergbaugerätschaften bezahlt werden muss. Dementsprechend werden die Investitionen in die Werkzeuge reduziert, da man die Abgabe aufbringen muss. Als Resultat daraus werden keine fortschrittlichen und umweltfreundlichen Technologien von den Abbaufirmen verwendet, was in einem nicht effektiven Abbau resultiert. Das Gesagte vorangestellt, wird der Regierung empfohlen, dass Dekret zu erlassen und die Abgabe auf jährlicher Basis zu verlangen und diese erst nachdem Abbau eintreiben.
• Umweltschutz-Abgabe: Das Circular Nr. 158/2011/TT-BTC ist die Rechtsgrundlage für eine Umweltschutzabgabe, welche sich nach Menge des Rohmetalls Erz auf jährlicher Basis berechnet. Die Berechnung dieser Abgabe beruht einzig auf den Abbaumengen, nicht auf der eigentlichen Umweltverschmutzung durch die jeweilige Miene. Diese Verordnung ist nicht gerecht, Bergbauunternehmen, die modernere und umweltschonende Technologie nutzen und damit einen geringen Einfluss auf die Umwelt haben, zahlen den identischen Betrag wie Bergbauunternehmen, die veraltete Gerätschaften haben und die Umwelt zerstören. Diese Regelung fördert nicht das Bedürfnis von Bergbauunternehmen in neue Technologien zu investieren oder gar die Umwelt zu schützen. Das Circular sollte sich darauf beziehen, dass die Umwelt-Abgabe auch den wirklichen Umweltverschmutzungen Rechnung trägt und daran gemessen wird.
• Lizenzgebühren auf Mineralstoffe: Gemäß der Resolution Nr. 712/2013/UBTVQH13 hat sich die natürliche Ressourcensteuer für viele Mineralien deutlich erhöht, z.B. für Wolfram (18%), Titan, (16%), Kupfer (13%), Eisen (12%), usw. Obwohl die natürliche Ressourcensteuer für Gold, Silber, Aluminium, Bauxite, Zinn, Blei und Zink nicht gestiegen ist, liegt sie bei 10%. Zusätzlich hat das Finanzministerium entschieden, dass die Abbausteuer für natürliche Ressourcen bis zum 1. Januar 2016 für fast alle Rohstoffe um 15-50% steigen soll. Das wird die Steuerlast von Bergbauunternehmen erheblich erhöhen und es ist sehr gut möglich dass einige Unternehmen insolvent gehen. Deshalb sollte die Regierung diese Veränderung noch nicht verabschieden.
• Körperschaftssteuer für Bergbauunternehmen: Das Dekret Nr. 122/ND-CP, welches eine Vielzahl der Paragraphen des Regierungsdekrets Nr. 124/2008/ND-CP verbessert und ergänzt, indem es detailliert und richtungsweisend die Einführung einiger Artikel des Gesetzes für Körperschaftssteuer Nr. 14/2008/QH12, reduziert die Unternehmenseinkommenssteuer auf 25%, ausgenommen sind jedoch Bergbauunternehmen welche kostbare und rare natürliche Ressourcen abbauen, bei diesen liegt die Steuer bei 50%. Mit dem neuen Dekret, soll die Steuer auf 40% reduziert werden, was notwendig ist, da mehr als 70% der Bergbauunternehmen in wirtschaftlich schwierigen Regionen liegen. Das Dekret besagt jedoch auch, dass es für den Abbau von Mineralien keine weiteren Vergünstigungen geben wird.

Die Lizenzgebühren, Abgaben und Steuern, welche Bergbauunternehmen in Vietnam zahlen müssen sind hoch, es ist jedoch unklar wie diese eingefordert werden und was im Anschluss daran mit den Geldern passiert. Die Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft ist nicht darüber informiert, was mit den Verwaltungsgebühren geschieht. Die Umweltschutz-Abgabe sollte dafür genutzt werden, dass die Umwelt der Mienen wieder aufgebaut wird, denn deshalb zahlen die Unternehmen diese Abgabe. Die Regierung sollte mehr Informationen veröffentlichen bzgl. der Lizenzvergabe und finanziellen Verpflichtungen welche die einzelnen Bewerber für die Bergbaulizenz haben.

Weiterhin sollte die Regierung zurzeit keine Steuererhöhungen anstreben, denn die Erhöhungen und die Lizenzgebühr werden dazu führen, dass es immer weniger Investoren in der Bergbautechnologie gibt. Im Gegenteil, es wird weiterhin die veraltete Technologie genutzt, was genau entgegen der Direktive des Premier Ministers läuft.

Zusammenfassend kann gesagt werden, dass die Regierung, um mehr Investitionen im Bergbausektor und die Nutzung von neuerer Technologie zu fördern, eher die Art der Steuereintreibung kontrollieren sollte, anstatt die Steuern zu erhöhen, sowie mehr Transparenz in der Gestaltung der Abgaben und Steuerverwaltung anstreben sollte.

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Oliver Massmann ist Generaldirektor und Partner der US Kanzlei Duane Morris in Vietnam. Herr Massmann spricht fließend verhandlungsfest Vietnamesisch und arbeitet seit 20 Jahren als Wirtschaftsanwalt in Vietnam. Sie können Herrn Massmann erreichen unter: omassmann@duanemorris.com

VIELEN DANK !

ベトナムの弁護士 オリバー マスマン  バイオマス発電所開発 ベトナムの小規模バイオマス発電所 –どのように正しく構築すればいいのか? 著者 オリバー マスマン

 これまでのベトナムの経済活力により電力需要の急増が生じています。ベトナムの電力需要は、実際に2桁成長を遂げており、80年代半ばに高度集中計画経済から社会主義志向の市場経済へ移行後、ベトナムは迅速な経済成長を遂げています。これは電力需要において、他の地域や発展途上国でも見たことが無い程かつてない成長をもたらしています。ベトナムの電力需要は2011年から2015年の間に年間14.2pct、また2016年から2020年の間に11.4pct増加すると予測され、電力需要は2030年に8000億Kwhと7倍に増加すると予想されています。
 これに関して、ベトナム政府はこの巨大電力需要を満たすために再生可能エネルギーの資源の活用、また拡大する必要性があることを明らかにしています。ベトナムに資源が十分にある水力発電によるエネルギーはいくつか潜在的危険性を示している為、バイオマスエネルギーはベトナムの発展の為の選択肢なのかもしれません。これは農業国であるベトナムの利点を活かしています。バイオマスから持続可能な電力発電の生産量は年間で150万トンになり、700-780MWは発電単独で到達することができます。
一般的な再生可能エネルギー、特にバイオマスエネルギーに関する政府の政策
 ベトナム政府は電力開発における再生可能エネルギーの重要性を認識し、ベトナムの電力開発の第7次マスタープランにその目的を反映しています。2020年には総電力供給の4.5%、2030年には5.6%と、再生可能エネルギーはエネルギー源の割合を次第に多く占めつつあります。第7次マスタープランでは再生可能エネルギーの目標率を2020年までに総電力消費量の5.6pct、2030年までに9.4pctと設定しており、政府はバイオマス電力を2020年までに500MW(電力生産の0.6pct)、2030年までに2,000MW(1.1pct)増加させることを目標としています。
 さらに、2014年3月24日首相が発行した決定第24/2014/QD-TTg号ではバイオマス発電所を支援するためのメカニズムを提供しています。特に、この決定によるオフグリッドバイオマス発電所に対する優遇策は以下のとおりです。
• 投資資本
O投資家はバイオマス電力計画を行うための投資に関して、国内外の組織または個人から資本の動員が可能です。
Oバイオマス電力計画は投資保証と国の輸出保証に関する法的規制に従い投資保証面で優遇措置をうけることが可能です。
• 輸入税 バイオマス電力計画はそのプロジェクトのために固定資産を作成する商品輸入に対して輸入税が免除されます。輸入品とは、ベトナムで生産できず輸出税と輸入税の規定に従いプロジェクトのために必要な材料、消耗品や半製品のことを意味します。
• 法人税 バイオマス電力計画のための法人税の免除、削減は課税に関する法律に従い投資優遇措置の対象プロジェクトと同じ方法で適用されます。
•土地使用  バイオマス電力計画や送電線、また国家送電網につなげる変電所は土地使用料、土地賃貸料の削減、または免除されます。
 オングリッドバイオマス電力計画において、ベトナム電力(EVN)は、1kWh あたり1,220 VNDの現在の価格で全ての植物のバイオマス電力発電を購入することができます。(付加価値税の約5.8USセントを除きます。)この価格はベトナムドン(VND)とアメリカドル(USD)の為替レートの変動に応じて調整されます。
外国人投資家の市場介入
 近年、ベトナムでのエネルギー部門では外国人出資比率の制限はありません。外国人投資家は次の許可された投資形態の中から選択できます。100%外資企業、ジョイントベンチャー、BOT契約の形での官民パートナーシップ(PPP)。
バイオマス電力発電所の始動
 バイオマス発電所の建設のために、外国人投資家はまず投資許可書の申請をする必要があります。申請手続きは非常に複雑で、多くの国家機関が関与し、時にはいくつか予測できない問題も発生します。しかし、2015年7月1日にベトナムの主に投資環境の管理が目的の新投資法と新企業法が施行され、外国人投資家にとってライセンス手続きでの時間が短縮し、より簡潔になることが期待されています。
 建設の前後どちらにしろ、投資家は事業を開始しています。まずはプロジェクト企業を設立し、有能な当局により発行された投資証明書の確保が必要となります。そして、プロジェクト企業は土地リース契約や電力購入契約(PPA)を含む広範囲にわたる重要なプロジェクト契約に関する交渉を締結しなくてはなりません。
 PPAのもとで、EVN(または非常にまれな場合は他の買い手)はある一定の期間特別なレートでプロジェクト企業から電気を購入することが可能です。プロジェクトにより将来の収入が決定する為、PPAはおそらく最も重要な契約交渉になると思われます。重要なことはPPAによると、もし電力供給が少量のバイオマスの影響を受けたとしてもプロジェクト企業はペナルティを受けないということです。現時点では電力計画に対して一社(EVN)しか買い手がいないため、交渉は時に一方的になるかもしれません。その上、電力生産者は電気法に従い消費者が中期的に購入価格を再交渉する際、法的に規制された権利を保有しているか考慮する必要があります。電気生産者は計画しているプロジェクトも考慮しなければなりません。
 土地売却の承認や補償支払いの面では困難が伴うかもしれませんが、ベトナムでの土地や不動産リースの契約はより簡潔になることが予想されます。通常、この契約の期間は少なくてもローンの返済計画と一致し、さらにローンの返済後に利益を生成できる相当の期間(原則として25-30年)が定められる必要があります。その上、そのプロジェクト企業の土地使用権利が担保として貸主のために提供され、譲渡できるか確認することが重要です。
ベトナムの小規模バイオマス電力計画、どのように正しく構築すればいいのか?
 EVNの独占状態やPPAの骨の折れる交渉を考えると、投資家はまだこの問題から解放されていません。発電価格を決定するための方法やPPAの調査手段に関して公布されている第56/2014/TT-BCT号の1.2条によると、EVNとの交渉で重要な必要条件は、プロジェクトがオングリッドかオフグリッドのどちらなのかということです。もし30MW以上の生産量がある、または30MW以下だが電力市場に自主的に参加しようとしているオングリッド計画の場合、投資家はEVNと交渉しなければなりません。つまり、そのプロジェクトがオフグリッドの場合、EVNと交渉する必要がないということになります。
 さらに、小規模バイオマス電力プロジェクトを運営するために、投資家は地元の人民委員会または地元の人民委員会により認可されている貿易産業省から発行された電力動作許可書を取得する必要があります。この許可書を取得するために、経営者は買い手とPPA交渉(一般的に署名)しなければなりません。プロジェクトがオフグリッドで再生可能エネルギープロジェクト(バイオマス)の場合は、経営者は人民委員会により指定された販売代理店、及び買い手を交渉することが可能です。
上記の内容に関しまして、さらなる詳細やご質問がもしございましたら遠慮なくomassmann@duanemorris.comまでご連絡ください。オリバー マスマンはドウェイン・モリス・ベトナム法律事務所のディレクターです。
ベトナムでのビジネスにご興味がありましたら、ぜひこちらのwww.vietnamlaws.xyzもご覧ください。
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