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Posted on by Dr. Oliver Massmann

VIETNAM – MOIT PROPOSES NEW FIT RATE FOR WIND POWER PROJECTS

On 28 October 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) issued Official Letter No.8159/BCT-DL to collect comments from other Ministries and relevant agencies on solutions for difficulties in wind energy project development. The comments were combined into a Draft report for the Prime Minister’s review and approval.

A notable provision of the Draft report is for wind power projects that have been supplemented into the power development planning and do not meet the COD deadline for current wind FiT rate of November 2021, the new applicable FiT rate shall be:

No. Category FiT rate for onshore projects (Uscent/kWh) FiT rate for offshore projects (Uscent/kWh)

1 Projects reaching COD from November 2021 to December 2022 7,02 8,47

2 Projects reaching COD in 2023 6,81 8,21

In addition, the Draft report also proposes to extend the current FiT rate deadline to 31 December 2023, instead of November 2021.

As stated in our previous articles on FiT rate for wind power projects, the need to extend the deadline for current FiT rate is essential because the projects waiting to be included in the Revised PDP VIII is unlikely to have commercial operation date before November 2021, because:
• The supplement into PDP for new wind power sources was suspended for more than 1 year (from October 2018) because there were no guidelines to implement the Planning Law;
• The construction of wind power projects takes more time than that of solar power projects. For feasibility study reports, investors must carry out wind measurement for at least 12 months. Moreover, wind turbines are mostly imported from abroad, which costs investors extra time, especially when there is unexpected delay of equipment delivery (e.g. due to Covid-19).

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Please do not hesitate to contact the author Dr. Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com. Dr. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC, Member to the Supervisory Board of PetroVietnam Insurance JSC and the only foreign lawyer presenting in Vietnamese language to members of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF VIETNAM.

Posted on by Dr. Oliver Massmann

VIETNAM – HOW THE NEW DRAFT DECREE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF INTERNET SERVICES AND ONLINE INFORMATION AFFECTS FOREIGN INVESTORS

The Ministry of Information and Communications issued a Draft Decree amending and supplementing Decree No. 72/2013/ND-CP and Decree No. 27/2018/ND-CP regarding the management, provision and use of Internet services and online information (“the Draft”). The Draft will affect telecommunications businesses, publishers of video games and businesses that engage in producing and utilizing electronic newspapers, social networks, and sales websites.

Provisions in the Draft that may affect foreign investors

On Aggregate information:
1. Aggregate information is information retrieved from Vietnamese press sources and must relate to the following 08 sectors: science, technology, economy, culture, sports, entertainment, advertising and social security.

2. Organizations’ internal websites and specialized website providing aggregate information must obtain aggregate information website license. This measure aims to prevent internal websites from illegally posing as aggregate information websites in order to lure in viewers. Multinationals which usually have their own global websites for staff members across the world must take extra caution when handling information already published by the Vietnamese press.

On Re-releasing published contents:
1. Aggregate information websites, application distribution stores and social networks can only re-released content published by Vietnamese press sources at least 01 hour later than the time of publishing the source content. Re-released content must be removed immediately after the source content has been removed.

2. Agreggate information must state clearly the author’s name, the source’s name, the time of posting and place a link to the source content right below the re-released content. Aggregate information must not include readers’ comment of the re-released content (except for aggregate information websites constituted by press agencies).

3. Aggregate information must not concern other localities. This measure is somewhat impractical given the fact that in this era global events closely interwove with and have direct effects on people’s everyday life, this is especially true for international organizations, and thus viewers are increasingly looking for information about other countries. For example, the war in Yemen can drive up oil price in Vietnam or the gold price fluctuates with the hourly results of the US presidential election. Putting such measure could hinder aggregate information website’s business growth.

On Cross-border provision of public information:
Foreign entities engaging in this service must comply to Vietnam laws. Failure by investors in handling violating information can lead to the Ministry of Information and Communications proactively implementing technical interventions.

On Social networks:
1. Social networks are classified into social networks with high levels of interaction and ones with low level of interaction based on the monthly number of interaction or registered users. Social networks with high levels of interaction (at least 1 million interactions and/or 10,000 registered users per month) have to obtain a Social Network License issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications. Social networks with low levels of interaction need only notify the Ministry of Information and Communication on its operation.

2. Only licensed social networks have the right to charge fees and perform livestreaming services. The Ministry of Information and Communications will also embed a tool to monitor interaction levels for licensing-related purpose.

These measures, if come into effect, would seriously hamper the development of new social networks that rely on service fees in order to further expand their business. The possibility that such new social networks have to go through lengthy administrative procedures before they can carry out any fees collection and the possibility that entities have to amend their information technology system to accommodate the Ministry’s monitoring tool, would not only cause them financial burdens but also interfere with their freedom of doing business.

On Online games:
1. The Draft removes the requirement for online game providers to obtain a master license/certificate. A Dissemination License is now only required for each G1 game, while a Certificate for Game Dissemination Registration is required for each G2-4 games.

2. Providers must also show that they have (i) A head office with clear address and contact; (ii) Capacity to register and store users’ personal information including national identification information; (iii) Capacity to control players’ playtime, including restriction on children’s playtime.

The application of an uniform policy for all online games creates an imbalance in management as new games that need to prioritize attracting players or new developers short on funds must adhere to the same standards for established games/developers, thus creating difficulties in online games distribution.

3. Payment system of online games (if any) must be located in Vietnam and connected with Vietnamese payment service providers.

Within this era of ever-changing technological advances and the society’s increasing dependence on technology, the Draft Decree would play a very important role in managing this under-regulated sector. Duane Morris calls for further amendment on the Draft Decree to address the aforementioned issues.

Please do not hesitate to contact the author Dr. Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com. Dr. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC, Member to the Supervisory Board of PetroVietnam Insurance JSC and the only foreign lawyer presenting in Vietnamese language to members of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF VIETNAM.

Posted on by Dr. Oliver Massmann

VIETNAM – APPRAISAL OF WIND POWER PROJECTS SUSPENDED

The Government’s policies have created a driving force for wind energy development in Vietnam over the years. From 2018 to now, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (“MOIT”) has received requests for project inclusion into the National Power Development Plan (“NPDP”) of up to 50,000 MW.

At the moment, the total planned capacity of wind power in 2025 is 11,800 MW – of which competent authorities have approved 4,800 MW before January 1, 2019, and an additional 7000 MW was included by July 2020. MOIT has also sent a written report to the Prime Minister on the appraisal results of 74 wind power projects with a total capacity of about 6400 MW, which are proposed to be included in the NPDP.

MOIT is urgently completing the National Electricity Development Plan VIII (“VIII Master Plan”) for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045 to submit for the Prime Minister’s approval in October 2020. To assist with this process, on 5 October 2020, MOIT issued Document No.7421/BCT-DL on the list of wind power projects proposed to be included in the VIII Master Plan, guiding the following:

1. The People’s Committees of provinces and cities to create a list of wind power projects requesting for survey, research, and supplementation into the NPDP.

2. Due to time constraint on the submission deadline of the VIII Master Plan, appraisal and approval for inclusion of wind energy projects shall be suspended until further notice.

3. The People’s Committees of provinces and cities are responsible for reviewing the site planning of wind power plants.

MOIT’s guidance to suspend the inclusion of more wind power projects into the NPDP is a recommendable move given the fact that the national power transmission system has been experiencing overload. Moreover, Electricity Vietnam (EVN) predicts that roughly 20-35% of total installed capacity will not be released in the South Central Region (including renewable energy hotspots Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan) in 2025 if all projects that have been included in the NPDP go into operation in the next 4 years.

For more information on the above, please do not hesitate to contact the author Dr. Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com. Dr. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC, Member to the Supervisory Board of PetroVietnam Insurance JSC and the only foreign lawyer presenting in Vietnamese language to members of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF VIETNAM.

Posted on by Dr. Oliver Massmann

RECHTSANWALT IN VIETNAM DR. OLIVER MASSMANN – ERNEUERBARE ENERGIEN – WARUM SIE JETZT INVESTIEREN SOLLTEN

Es war noch nie einfacher und profitabler in Vietnam in erneuerbare Energien zu investieren. Es ist eines der Länder mit den meisten Sonnenstunden im Jahr und kann sich mit einer 3000 km langen Küste rühmen, die sich für den Ausbau von Windkraft eignet.
Die Regierung hat ausländische Investitionen in diesem Sektor gefördert, in dem sie erneuerbare Energien als eines der fünf geeignetsten Sektoren für die Entwicklung öffentlich-privater Partnerschaften ernannt und die enormen Vorteile daraus gezogen hat, wie die Erteilung von Standard- Stromabnahmeverträgen unter Berücksichtigung der Meinungen ausländischer Investoren, sowie Tarifsätze (Fit) Steuern für Windkraft- und Sonnenenergie Projekte, Ratifizierung des EU-Vietnam- Freihandelsabkommens, des umfassenden und progressiven Abkommens für die trans-pazifische Partnerschaft (CTPP) und so weiter.

I) Analyse des Energiesektors in Vietnam:

Vietnam hat in seinem Energiesektor in den letzten 10 Jahren viele erfolgreiche Leistungen erzielt.
Der Ausbau der Öl- und Gasproduktion ist gestiegen und hat eine Reihe groß angelegter petrochemischer Raffinerieanlagen gebildet; Wind- und Solarenergie- Projekte entwickeln sich mit hoher Geschwindigkeit.
Da jedoch auch der Energieverbrauch steigt und sich die Verbraucherstruktur in Richtung Industrialisierung bewegt, sieht sich Vietnam einem steigenden Energieimport gegenüber. Einige Indikatoren der Energiesicherheit bewegen sich bereits in eine nachteihafte Richtung. Darüber hinaus hat der massive Verbrauch fossiler Energiequellen die Umwelt stark verschmutzt, trotz strenger Sanktionsmaßnahmen.

Als Reaktion hierauf hat die Regierung den Ausbau erneuerbaren Energiequellen gefördert um die fossilen vollständig zu ersetzen.
Es wird auch die Nutzung von Wind-, Solar- und Wasserkraftenergie zur Stromerzeugung unterstützt, insbesondere Solarprojekte auf Dächern und Wasseroberflächen, sowie Offshore- Windkraftprojekte.
Darüberhinaus werden Investoren dazu ermutigt, in den Bau von Kraftwerken unter Verwendung von Stadtabfällen, Biomasse und Festmüll zu investieren.
Die Förderung des Ausbaus erneuerbarer Energiequellen ist eine praktikable und effektive Lösung, um dem Problem der Stromknappheit entgegenzuwirken, da Projekte für erneuerbare Energien schnell gebaut und umgehend für die Periode 2021-2023 in Betrieb genommen werden können, während das natürliche Potential des Landes genutzt wird, ohne auf externe Faktoren, wie importierte Kraftstoffe, zurückgreifen zu müssen und sie ist umweltfreundlich.
Vietnam erwartet bis 2030 in der gesamten Primärenergieversorgung etwa 20 % aus erneuerbaren Energiequellen zu gewinnen.
Dies soll bis 2045 erwartungsgemäß auf ungefähr 30 % ansteigen.
Die Regierung beabsichtigt außerdem, 8 Milliarden Kubikmeter LNG bis 2030 und 15 Milliarden Kubikmeter bis 2045 zu importieren.
Vietnam verfolgt das Ziel, Gasstrom zu einer wichtigen Stromversorgungsquelle zu machen, insbesondere gasbefeuerte Wärmekraftprojekte unter Verwendung von LNG.
Das Land bemüht sich die Technologie für die Erforschung und Erschließung eigener Gasquellen zu verbessern.
Es ist empfehlenswert, Wärmekraftwerkeprojekte synchron aufzubauen, von der Brennstoffversorgung über die Speicherung bis hin zur Anlagenbauphase, wobei der Preis für den Stromverkauf durch das Einholen von Angeboten festgelegt wird.

Solarenergie:
Nach der Entscheidung 13/2020/QD-TTg, beträgt die FiT-Steuer 7,09 US cent pro kWh für netzgebundene Projekte, bei denen die Entscheidung über die Investitionspolitik vor dem 23. November 2019 und der Zeitpunkt des kommerziellen Betriebs (Commercial Operation Date, COD) zwischen dem 1. Juli 2019 und dem 31. Dezember 2020 genehmigt wurde. In Bezug auf die Provinz Ninh Thuan beträgt der Kaufpreis für Strom in netzgekoppelten Solarstromprojekten, die vor dem 1. Januar 2021 mit COD und einer Kapazität von nicht mehr als 2000 MW in die Stromentwicklungsplanung aufgenommen wurden, 9,35 US-Cent/kWh.
Der FiT-Satz für schwimmende PV-Projekte beträgt 7,09 US-Cent/kWh. Für Aufdachprojekte beträgt der Satz 8,38 US-Cent/kWh, aber dies ist verhandelbar, wenn der Käufer nicht Electricity Vietnam (EVN) ist.
Am 31. August gab das Industrie- und Handelsministerium Rundschreiben 18 heraus, das den neuen Standard-Stromabnahmevertrag (Power Purchase Agreement – PPA) für netzgekoppelte und Aufdach-Solarstromprojekte beinhaltet. Das neue PPA hat dazu beigetragen, den Mangel an Vorschriften für Solarstromprojekte seit Juli letzten Jahres zu beheben. Die Vorlage enthält jedoch Bestimmungen für Investoren, nämlich (i) das Fehlen der Zahlungsverpflichtung der EVN im Falle von Übertragungsproblemen, (ii) den Mangel an transparenten Möglichkeiten für internationale Schiedsverfahren und (iii) die fehlende Bankfähigkeit. Obwohl die Parteien Einzelheiten der Vereinbarung ergänzen können, dürfen solche Änderungen nicht wesentlich von den Bestimmungen der Standardvorlage abweichen.

Windkraft-Energie
Gemäß Rundschreiben 02/2019/TT-BCT beträgt der FiT-Satz 8,5 US-Cent/kWh für Onshore-Projekte und 9,8 US-Cent/kWh für Offshore-Projekte. Der Stichtag für diese Sätze ist der 1. November 2021. Von diesem Zeitpunkt an prüft die Regierung die Möglichkeit, den Auktionsmechanismus für den An- und Verkauf von Windenergie einzuführen, um die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Transparenz auf dem Strommarkt zu fördern.
Das Ministerium für Industrie und Handel hat vorgeschlagen, den FiT-Satz für Windkraftprojekte bis Ende 2023 zu verlängern, um den Investoren genügend Zeit zu geben, ihre Anlagen in Betrieb zu nehmen. Die Standardvorlage für den Kaufvertrag über Windenergie ist auch unter Rundschreiben 02 verfügbar.
Gegenwärtig sind die Stromnetze in Vietnam überlastet, was dazu führt, dass die Kraftwerke unter ihrer maximalen Kapazität betrieben werden müssen. Dies hat offensichtlich zum Ausfall von Anlagen und zu finanziellen Verlusten geführt. EVN ist das einzige Unternehmen in Vietnam, das berechtigt ist, die Aufrüstung der Netze durchzuführen, so dass es für Investoren sehr zeitaufwändig sein kann, warten zu müssen, während sie gleichzeitig über das Fachwissen und die finanziellen Mittel verfügen, um einzuspringen und die Netze zu verbessern. Der Erlass eines Preisrahmens führt zu mehr Investitionen in Off-Grid-Projekte und entlastet damit das Übertragungsnetz.

Bioenergie
Bioenergie ist die Erzeugung von Energie aus Biomasse-Materialien wie den Nebenprodukten der Land-, Lebensmittel- und Forstwirtschaft sowie häuslichen und industriellen Abfallmanagement-Systemen.
In Vietnam haben Großstädte wie Hanoi und Ho-Chi-Minh-Stadt mit der rapide zunehmenden Abfallmenge und Luftverschmutzung zu kämpfen, die durch die beliebte Methode der Verbrennung verursacht wird. Statistiken der Regierung zeigen zum Beispiel, dass HCM City mehr als 9000 Tonnen Abfall pro Tag produziert. Infolgedessen hat Vietnam Investitionen in den Sektor Abfallverbrennung stark gefördert, um die Umwelt zu schützen und die Energieeffizienz zu steigern.
Im Jahr 2014 erließ der Premierminister den Beschluss 31/2014/QD-TTg zur Unterstützung von Mechanismen zur Entwicklung von Stromerzeugungsprojekten unter Verwendung fester Abfälle in Vietnam. Zu den bemerkenswerten Anreizen gehören: (i) Verpflichtung des Käufers, den gesamten von den von ihm verwalteten Anlagen erzeugten Strom zu kaufen, (ii) Befreiung von der Einfuhrsteuer für Waren, die zur Schaffung von Anlagevermögen für das Projekt importiert werden, und (iii) Ermäßigung/Freistellung von Landpachtzinsen (abhängig vom Standort des Projekts). Der FiT-Satz beträgt 10,05 US-Cent/kWh für Projekte, bei denen feste Abfälle direkt verbrannt werden, und 7,28 US-Cent/kWh für Projekte, bei denen aus Deponien gesammeltes Gas verbrannt wird. Die Standard-PPA für Stromerzeugungsprojekte, die mit festem Abfall betrieben werden und an das Netz angeschlossen sind, wird im Rundschreiben 32/2015/TT-BCT veröffentlicht.

Wasserkraft
Die einzigen Materialien, die für die Wasserstoffproduktion benötigt werden, sind die von der Natur gegebenen Elemente Wasser und Sonneneinstrahlung, was bedeutet, dass Wasserstoff eine unerschöpfliche Brennstoffquelle ist. Die Nutzung der Wasserstoffenergie wurde von der vietnamesischen Regierung aufgrund ihrer umweltfreundlichen Eigenschaften und der Tatsache, dass sie für den Bau unabhängiger Kraftwerke genutzt werden kann, die Städte selbst versorgen, ohne an das nationale Stromnetz angeschlossen zu sein – das zu Spitzenzeiten täglich fast überlastet ist -, stark gefördert.
Die Wasserkraft wird in einer Brennstoffzelle genutzt, die keine Arten von Umweltverschmutzung erzeugt, einen höheren Wirkungsgrad hat und im Vergleich zu Verbrennungsmotoren (die zur Verbrennung von Gas, Öl und anderen Brennstoffen mit Luft verwendet werden) mehr Energie einspart. Brennstoffzellen sind definitiv eine vielversprechende erneuerbare Energiequelle, und Investoren werden ermutigt, die Möglichkeit der Entwicklung von Wasserstoffprojekten in Vietnam zu prüfen.

II. Die Rolle der großen Handelsabkommen bei der Unterstützung ausländischer Investoren
Ausländische Investoren, die sich im Energiesektor engagieren, können die Vorteile verschiedener Unternehmensgarantien im Rahmen des Freihandelsabkommens zwischen der EU und Vietnam (EVFTA), des Investitionsschutzabkommens zwischen der EU und Vietnam (EVIPA), des umfassenden und progressiven Abkommens für eine transpazifische Partnerschaft (CPTPP), des Gesetzes über Investitionen in Form einer öffentlich-privaten Partnerschaft (PPP), des neuen Investitionsgesetzes 2021 usw. nutzen.
Das EVFTA ist am 1. August 2020 in Kraft getreten und gilt für Investoren aus der Europäischen Union. Das EVIPA ist ratifiziert worden und wartet auf die Zustimmung des EU-Parlaments, um durchsetzbar zu sein. Das CPTPP trat am 14. Januar 2019 in Kraft, zu seinen Unterzeichnern gehören strategische Verbündete Vietnams wie Japan, Kanada, Australien und Singapur. Viele Bestimmungen dieser beiden großen Handelsabkommen stehen in direktem Zusammenhang mit Investitionen in den Sektor der erneuerbaren Energien, nämlich dem öffentlichen Beschaffungswesen und der Beilegung von Streitigkeiten zwischen Investoren und Staaten.

Öffentliches Beschaffungswesen
Das öffentliche Beschaffungswesen ist im Allgemeinen der Prozess, bei dem eine Regierungsbehörde (die beschaffende Stelle) für öffentliche Zwecke Waren einkauft oder Dienstleistungen erwirbt. Vietnam geht zum ersten Mal über das CPTPP und das EVFTA internationale Verpflichtungen im Bereich des öffentlichen Beschaffungswesens ein. In den Kapiteln über das öffentliche Beschaffungswesen (Kapitel 15 im CPTPP und Kapitel 09 im EVFTA) ist die Entschlossenheit Vietnams zur Öffnung des öffentlichen Beschaffungsmarktes festgehalten. Insbesondere verpflichtet sich Vietnam, die Transparenz bei der Auswahl von Auftragnehmern durch die Offenlegung von Informationen über Ausschreibungen und die Abschaffung unnötiger Qualifikationsverfahren zu erhöhen. Gleichzeitig erkennt Vietnam die faire, unparteiische und vertrauliche Behandlung von Angeboten an. Gegenwärtig hat Vietnam einen Online-Bietungsmechanismus eingeführt, der es Investoren ermöglicht, leicht Informationen über Menge und Preis eines Bieterpakets zu finden. Die für die Warenbeschaffung und die damit verbundene Beratung verwendeten Vorlagendossiers werden ebenfalls online veröffentlicht.
Es ist darauf hinzuweisen, dass es zwischen dem CPTPP und dem EVFTA in Bezug auf die staatliche Beschaffung einige wesentliche Unterschiede gibt. Erstens verpflichtet sich Vietnam im CPTPP nur zur Öffnung der Beschaffung durch 21 Ministerien und Zentralbehörden. Im EVFTA ist der Anwendungsbereich der Beschaffungsstellen jedoch weiter gefasst als im CPTPP. Neben den Zentralbehörden, den subzentralen Behörden und den staatlichen Unternehmen sind auch öffentliche Krankenhäuser, öffentliche Institute und Universitäten berechtigt, sich am staatlichen Beschaffungswesen zu beteiligen. Zweitens legt das EVFTA mehr Umstände fest, unter denen ein Lieferant von der Teilnahme an Beschaffungen ausgeschlossen wird, darunter (i) Insolvenz, (ii) falsche Erklärungen, (iii) erhebliche Mängel bei der Erfüllung wesentlicher Verpflichtungen in früheren Verträgen und (iv) Nichtzahlung von Steuern.
Es wird erwartet, dass der Mechanismus des staatlichen Beschaffungswesens ausländischen Investoren Möglichkeiten und Vorteile in einer Weise bietet, dass sie fair und transparent mit vietnamesischen Staatsunternehmen (SOEs) konkurrieren können.

Beilegung von Streitigkeiten
Ausländischen Investoren wird im Rahmen des EVIPA ein hohes Schutzniveau gewährt. Dieses Abkommen ist eine Kombination aus dem New Yorker Übereinkommen von 1958 und dem ICSID von 1965. Das EVIPA und das CPTPP ermöglichen es ausländischen Investoren, die vietnamesische Regierung wegen ihrer investitionsbezogenen Entscheidungen zu verklagen. Der endgültige Schiedsspruch ist bindend und vollstreckbar, unabhängig von Fragen der örtlichen Gerichte bezüglich seiner Gültigkeit.
Das EVIPA sieht insbesondere einen zweistufigen Schlichtungsmechanismus vor, bei dem die Parteien Berufung einlegen können, wenn sie mit dem ersten Schiedsspruch des Schiedspanels nicht zufrieden sind. Wenn jedoch keine der streitenden Parteien gegen den vorläufigen Schiedsspruch Berufung eingelegt hat, wird dieser rechtskräftig und “kann nicht angefochten, überprüft, aufgehoben, annulliert oder in sonstiger Weise angefochten werden” (Artikel 3 des EVIPA).
Es gibt immer mehr Energieprojekte, die von ausländischen Investoren in Vietnam betrieben werden. Dies führt unweigerlich zu einer wachsenden Zahl von Streitigkeiten zwischen dem Staat Vietnam und Investoren. Die Interessen der ausländischen Investoren müssen jedoch fair und vollständig sein

Für weitere Informationen zu den obigen Ausführungen wenden Sie sich bitte an den Autor Dr. Oliver Massmann unter omassmann@duanemorris.com. Dr. Oliver Massmann ist der Generaldirektor von Duane Morris Vietnam LLC, Mitglied des Aufsichtsrats von PetroVietnam Insurance JSC und der einzige ausländische Anwalt, der den Mitgliedern der NATIONALEN VERSAMMLUNG VON VIETNAM in vietnamesischer Sprache Vortraege hält.

Posted on by Dr. Oliver Massmann

VIETNAM – WHY YOU SHOULD INVEST IN RENEWABLE ENERGY NOW

It has never been easier and more beneficial to invest in renewable energy in Vietnam. The country has one of the most sun hours during the year and boasts a 3000km coastline suited for wind power development. The Government has been encouraging foreign investment in this sector by naming renewable energy one of the 5 sectors eligible for Public-Private Partnership development and the vast benefits thereunder, issuing standard Power Purchase Agreements taking into account opinions of foreign investors as well as Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) rates for wind and solar power projects, ratifying the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and so on.

I. Analysis of the energy sector in Vietnam

Vietnam has attained many successful achievements in the energy sector in the past 10 years. Oil and gas development output has increased, forming a number of large-scale petrochemical refining facilities; wind and solar power projects developing at high speed. However, as energy consumption increases and consumption structure shifts towards industrialization, Vietnam faces increasing energy import. Some indicators of energy security are already moving in an adverse direction. On top of this, the mass use of fossil energy sources has severely polluted the environment despite strict penalties measures.

In response to this, the Government has promoted the development of renewable energy sources to fully replace fossil ones. It is also encouraged to use wind, solar and hydrogen power for electricity generation, especially rooftop and water surface solar projects as well as offshore wind projects. Moreover, investors are encouraged to invest in the construction of power plants using urban waste, biomass and solid waste.

Promoting the development of renewable energy sources is a feasible and effective solution to counter power shortage issue because renewable energy projects can be constructed quickly and promptly for operation in the period 2021-2023, while taking advantage of the country’s natural potential without relying on extraneous factors such as imported fuels and is eco-friendly.

By 2030, Vietnam expects to see about 20% of renewable sources in the total primary energy supply. By 2045, this is anticipated to increase to approximately 30%. The Government is also looking to import about 8 billion cubic meters of LNG by 2030 and 15 billion cubic meters by 2045.

Vietnam aims to make gas electricity an important power supply source, especially gas-fired thermal power projects using LNG. The country is looking to improve technology for the exploration and development of domestic gas sources. It is commendable to develop thermal power projects synchronously from fuel supply, storage to plant construction phase with the electricity-selling price determined through bidding.

Solar power energy

Under Decision 13/2020/QD-TTg, the FiT rate is 7,09 US cents/kWh for grid-connected projects that have Decision on Investment Policy approved before 23 November 2019 and Commercial Operation Date (COD) between 1 July 2019 and 31 December 2020. With respect to Ninh Thuan province, purchase price of electricity in grid-connected solar power projects included in electricity development planning with COD before 1 January 2021 and capacity of no more than 2000MW is 9.35 US cents/kWh.

The FiT rate for floating PV project is 7,09 US cents/kWh. For rooftop projects, the rate is 8,38US cents/kWh but this is negotiable if the purchaser is not Electricity Vietnam (EVN).

On 31 August, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Circular 18, which entails the new standard Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for grid-connected and rooftop solar power projects. The new PPA has helped to solve the lack of regulations on solar power projects since July last year. However, the template contains concerning provisions for investors, namely (i) the lack of EVN’s payment obligation in case of transmission problem, (ii) the lack of transparent possibility for international arbitration and (iii) the lack of bankability. Though parties can supplement details to the Agreement, such changes must not derogate substantially from the provision of the standard template.

Wind power energy

Under Circular 02/2019/TT-BCT, the FiT rate is 8,5 US cents/kWh for onshore projects and 9,8 US cents/kWh for offshore projects. The deadline for these rates is 1 November 2021. From then onwards, the Government is looking into the option of implementing the auction mechanism for the sale and purchase of wind energy with a view to promote competitiveness and transparency within the power market. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been proposing to extend the FiT rate for wind power projects until the end of 2023 in order to give investors ample time to put their plants into operation. The standard template for wind power purchase agreement is also available under Circular 02.

Currently, the electricity grids in Vietnam is experiencing overload, leading to power plants have to operate below their maximum capacity. This has evidently resulted in breakdown of equipment and financial loss. EVN is the only company in Vietnam authorized to carry out upgrade for grids, so it can be very time-consuming for investors having to wait while they also have the expertise and funding to step in and ameliorate the grids. The issuance of a pricing framework leads to more investment in off-grid projects, thus relieving pressure on the transmission system.

Bioenergy

Bioenergy is the production of energy from biomass materials such as the byproducts of agricultural, food and forestry industries, as well as domestic and industrial waste management systems.

In Vietnam, metropolitans like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been dealing with rapidly increasing amount of waste and air pollution caused by the popular method of burning them. For instance, statistics produced by the Government show that HCM City produces more than 9000 tons of waste per day. As a result, Vietnam has strongly encouraged investment in the waste-to-electricity sector in order to protect the environment and boost energy efficiency.

In 2014, the Prime Minister issued Decision 31/2014/QD-TTg on supporting mechanisms for development of power generation projects using solid waste in Vietnam. Notable incentives include: (i) An obligation on purchaser to buy all power produced by the plants under its management, (ii) Exemption from import tax for goods imported to create fixed assets for the project and (iii) Land rent reduction/exemption (subject to the project’s location). The FiT rate is 10.05 US cents/kWh for projects that burn solid waste directly and 7.28 US cents/kWh for projects that combust gas collected from landfill. The standard PPA for solid waste-generated power projects that are connected to the grid is issued in Circular 32/2015/TT-BCT.

Hydrogen power

The only materials required for hydrogen production are nature-granted elements water and sunlight radiation, meaning hydrogen is an inexhaustible source of fuel. The use of hydrogen power has been strongly encouraged by the Vietnamese government given its eco-friendly characteristics and the fact that it can be used to build independent power stations that self-supply to cities without being connected to the national grid – which is almost overstressed daily during peak hours.

Hydropower is used in a fuel cell, which does not generate any types of pollution and has higher efficiency rate as well as save more energy compared to internal combustion engines (used for the burning of gas, oil and other fuels with air). Fuel cells are definitely a promising renewable energy source and investors are encouraged to explore the option of developing hydrogen projects in Vietnam.

II. The role of major trade agreements in supporting foreign investors

Foreign investors engaging in the energy sector can reap the benefits of various business guarantees under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Law on Investment in the form of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the new Law on Investment 2021 and so on.

The EVFTA came into force on 1 August 2020 and is applicable to investors from the European Union. The EVIPA has been ratified and is pending the EU’s Parliament consent to be enforceable. The CPTPP took effect since 14 January 2019, its signatories including strategic allies to Vietnam such as Japan, Canada, Australia and Singapore. Many provisions under these two major trade agreements are directly related to investment in renewable energy sector, namely Government Procurement and Investor-State Dispute Resolution.

Government Procurement

Government procurement, in general, is the process in which a governmental authority (the procuring entity) purchases goods or acquires services for public purposes. Vietnam, for the first time, engages in international government procurement commitments through the CPTPP and EVFTA. The Government Procurement Chapters (Chapter 15 in CPTPP, and Chapter 09 in EVFTA) feature the determination of Vietnam to open the public procurement market. Specifically, Vietnam commits to enhancing transparency in the selection of contractors by disclosing bidding information and removing unnecessary qualification procedures. Concurrently, Vietnam recognizes the fair, impartial and confidential treatment of tenders. At the moment, Vietnam has implemented online bidding mechanism that allows investors to easily find information on quantity and price of a bidding package. Template dossier used for goods procurement and related consultancy are also published online.

It should be noted that there are some substantial differences between CPTPP and EVFTA with regard to government procurement. First, in CPTPP, Vietnam only commits to opening procurement by 21 ministries and central authorities. In the EVFTA, however, the scope of procuring entities is broader. In addition to central authorities, sub-central authorities and state-owned enterprises, public hospital, public institutes and universities are also entitled to partake in government procurement process. Second, the EVFTA sets out more circumstances in which a supplier shall be excluded from participating in procurement, including (i) insolvency; (ii) false declarations; (iii) significant deficiencies in the performance of substantive obligations in prior contracts and (iv) failure to pay taxes.

The Government Procurement mechanism is expected to provide opportunities and benefits for foreign investors in a way that they can compete fairly and transparently with Vietnamese state-owned enterprises (SOEs).


Dispute Resolution

Foreign investors are given high level of protection under the EVIPA. This Agreement is the combination of the New York Convention 1958 and the ICSID 1965. The EVIPA and CPTPP make it possible for foreign investors to sue the Vietnamese Government for its investment related decisions. The final arbitral award is binding and enforceable regardless of questions from the local courts regarding its validity.

In particular, EVIPA stipulates a two-tier arbitration mechanism, in which parties can appeal if they are not satisfied with the first award issued by the arbitration panel. However, if neither disputing parties has appealed against the provisional award, it shall become final and “shall not be subject to appeal, review, set aside, annulment or any other remedy” (Article 3 of the EVIPA).

There have been more and more energy projects operated by foreign investors in Vietnam. This inevitably leads to growing number of disputes between the State of Vietnam and investors. The interests of foreign investors, however, shall be fairly and completely protected by the dispute settlement mechanism under the EVIPA.
At the moment, Vietnam has reserved the right to fulfill this commitment for 5 years from the effective date of the EVIPA. Nevertheless, Duane Morris Vietnam has the legal and technical tools to make such provisions work in favor of investors from now.

***
For more information on the above, please do not hesitate to contact the author Dr. Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com. Dr. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC, Member to the Supervisory Board of PetroVietnam Insurance JSC and the only foreign lawyer presenting in Vietnamese language to members of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF VIETNAM.

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Anwalt in Vietnam Dr. Oliver Massmann – Die Nationalversammlung nahm die Empfehlungen von Duane Morris in das erste vietnamesische Gesetz über Investitionen in Form von öffentlich-privaten Partnerschaften (PPP) auf

Am 13. Mai dieses Jahres diskutierte Dr. Oliver Massmann mit Schlüsselpersonen der Nationalversammlung über den Entwurf des PPP-Gesetzes.

Am 8. Juli 2020 wurde das erste vietnamesische Gesetz über Investitionen in Form von öffentlich-privaten Partnerschaften veröffentlicht, das die folgenden von Duane Morris vorgeschlagenen Empfehlungen enthält:

Klärung des Umfangs und der Größenordnung von Energieprojekten, die für PPP-Investitionen in Frage kommen

Artikel 4 des PPP-Gesetzes sieht fünf Sektoren vor, die für PPP-Investitionen in Frage kommen:

a/ Transport;

b/ Stromnetze, Kraftwerke, mit Ausnahme von Wasserkraftwerken und Fälle von Staatsmonopol nach dem Elektrizitätsgesetz;

c/ Bewässerung; Wasserversorgung; Entwässerung und Abwasserbehandlung; Abfallbehandlung;

d/ Gesundheitsversorgung, Bildung, Ausbildungdd/ Infrastruktur für die Anwendung von Informationstechnologie

Das PPP-Gesetz legt auch den Gesamtinvestitionskapitalbedarf für ein PPP-Projekt fest. So müssen beispielsweise Energieprojekte, ausgenommen sind Betriebs-und Wartungsverträge, ein Gesamtinvestitionskapital von mindestens 200 MilliardenVND aufweisen. Bei Projekten in Gebieten mit schwierigen sozioökonomischen Bedingungen ist dieser Wert niedriger (100 Milliarden VND).

2. Die Bedeutung bankfähiger PPP-Verträge

Duane Morris schlug vor, dass die Nationalversammlung erwägen sollte, eine bankfähige Vorlage für PPP-Verträge im Gesetz selbst oder in diesem Leitdekret bzw. Rundschreiben vorzusehen. In Artikel 47 des PPP-Gesetzes wurde ergänzt, dass die Regierung die Ausstellung von Standartverträgen für Projekte mit BOT-,BTO-, BOO-, O&M-, BTL-, BLT-, BT-oder gemischten Verträgen regeln soll.

In Bezug auf das Einstiegsrecht der Kreditgeber legt das PPP-Gesetz fest, dass im Falle einer vorzeitigen Beendigung des PPP-Projektvertrags und der Notwendigkeit, einen Ersatzunternehmer auszuwählen, um den Fortschritt des Projekts sicherzustellen, der Kreditgeber sich mit dem Staat abstimmen muss, um den alternativen Investor auszuwählen.

3. Bestimmen Sie im Detail Investitionsanreize, die Investoren genießen können

Artikel 80 legt fest, dass Investoren Sicherheit in Bezug auf das Landzugangsrecht, das Recht auf Nutzung von Land und anderen öffentlichen Gütern, das Hypothekenrecht, das Recht auf Handel mit dem Projekt und seinem Infrastruktursystem erhalten.

PPP-Projektunternehmen haben auch Vorrang bei der Inanspruchnahme öffentlicher Dienstleistungen für die Durchführung des Projekts, und die zuständigen Behörden müssen die Investoren bei der Durchführung der erforderlichen Verfahren unterstützen, um diese Prioritätzu optimieren.

Weitere nennenswerteBestimmungen im neuen PPP-Gesetz:

1/ Das System zur Sicherung des Fremdwährungsausgleichgewichtsist auf Projekte anwendbar, die der Entscheidung der Nationalversammlung oder des Premierministers über die Investitionspolitik unterliegen. Letzterer beantragte Projekte mit einemGesamtinvestitionskapital von mindesten 5000 Milliarden VND, was darauf hindeutet, dass alle Energieprojekte, die für PPP-Investitionen in Frage kommen, automatisch für dieses Fremdwährungsschema in Frage kommen. Darüber hinaus soll für alle PPP-Projekte eine Obergrenze von 30 % festgelegt werden.

2/ Mechanismus zur Aufteilung des Einnahmerisikos. wenn die tatsächlichen Einnahmen mehr als 125 % der Einnahmen im Finanzplan des PPP-Projektvertrags erreichen, teilt sich der Investor mit dem Staat 50 % der Erhöhung zwischen den tatsächlichen Einnahmen und den vertraglich festgelegten Einnahmen.

Wenn die tatsächlichen Einnahmen weniger als 75 % der Einnahmen im Finanzplan des PPP-Projektvertrags erreichen, muss der Staat mit dem Investor 50 % des Rückgangs zwischen den tatsächlichen Einnahmen und den vertraglich zugesagten Einnahmen teilen.

Dieser Mechanismus zur Teilung der Mindereinnahmen wird angewandt, wenn die folgenden Bedingungen erfüllt sind:

1. Art des Vertrags: BOT, BTO oder BOO;

2. Die Ursache des Verlustes ist die Änderung von Gesetzen und Richtlinien;

3. Maßnahmen zur Anpassung der Preise und Vertragsbedingungen für Produkte und öffentliche Dienstleistungen sind umgesetzt worden, aber die Gesamteinnahmen liegen immer noch unter 75 %; und

4. Die Staatliche Rechnungsprüfung hat die Einnahmeverringerung geprüft.

3/ Auswahl von Auftragnehmern zur Durchführung von PPP-Projekten

PPP-Verträge müssen verbindliche Inhalte enthalten, für die der Auftragnehmer verantwortlich ist, wenn die Qualität des Projekts nicht den vereinbarten Anforderungen entspricht. Für Arbeiten, die von inländischen Auftragnehmern ausgeführt werden können, wird die Inanspruchnahme inländischer Auftragnehmer gefördert.

4/ Geltende Gesetze: Der PPP-Vertrag, seine Anhänge und damit zusammenhängende Dokumente sind in Übereinstimmung mit den vietnamesischen Gesetzen auszulegen und zu interpretieren.
Schlussfolgerung

Es ist uns eine Freude, dass die Nationalversammlung die Ratschläge und Empfehlungen von Duane Morris berücksichtigt hat. Diese Handlungen sind ein Schritt in die richtige Richtung. Es bleibt abzuwarten, ob der politische Wille vorhanden sein wird, PPP-Projekte regelmäßig und in großem Maßstab vollständig umzusetzen.

Bitte zögern Sie nicht, den Autor Dr. Oliver Massmann unter omassmann@duanemorris.com zu kontaktieren. Dr. Oliver Massmann ist der Generaldirektor von Duane Morris Vietnam LLC, Mitglied des Aufsichtsrats von PetroVietnam Insurance JSC und der einzige ausländische Anwalt, der vor den Mitgliedern der Nationalversammlung von Vietnam Vortraege in vietnamesischer Sprache haelt.

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VIETNAM – NEW LAW ON INVESTMENT PROVES THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT TO ATTRACT FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

The new Law on Investment will take effect on 1 January 2021 (“the Law”) and replace the current Law on Investment 2014. The Law is praised to play an important role in attracting the foreign capital quickly flowing out of China due to increased political instability and the country’s poor response to the novel corona virus. The Law is also seen as another respectable effort of the Vietnamese Government to increase FDI alongside the ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Law on Investment in the form of Public-Private Partnership (PPP Law).

Under the new Law on Investment, a business organization is deemed as a foreign investor if foreign investors hold 50% or more charter capital (the current law stipulates 51%). In case the business organization is a partnership, then the majority of the general partners/members must be foreigners.
Before foreign investors can establish a business organization, they must have identified an investment project and obtain Investment Registration Certificate for that project. The latter is not required for investors engaging in the establishment of a small and medium-sized creative start up or fund for such start up.

How the new Law on Investment encourages Foreign Direct Investment?

1. Market access conditions for foreign investors are the same for domestic investors, except for industries and trades that don’t allow for such market access or those that come with conditions on foreign investors. The Government, before 1 January 2021 expectedly, will announce a list of the abovementioned industries and trades. The list will cover topics such as ownership of charter capital, investment form, scope of investment activities, evaluation of investors’ capacity and partners participating in the investment activity.

2. Foreign investors can reap the benefits of various business guarantees, including guarantee on investment in case of change in laws, guarantee of property ownership, guarantee on investment activities and guarantee on the right to transfer assets abroad.

For example, under the guarantee on investment activities, investors are not required to prioritize the purchase and usage of goods or services produced by a domestic manufacturers or service provider; investors are not compelled to self-balance foreign currency from export sources to meet import demand; it is also not an obligation to achieve a certain localization rate for domestically-produced goods.

Additionally, after fulfilling all financial obligations under Vietnamese laws, foreign investors can transfer abroad investment capital/liquidation, income from investment activities, money and other assets legally owned by investors.

3. Dispute between foreign investors and the State can be taken to international arbitration given that the contract between the parties includes such clause or international treaties in which Vietnam is a signatory allows for international arbitration. Dispute between investors, of which at least one party is a foreign investor as defined by the Law, can be taken to foreign or international arbitration with no attached conditions.

4. The Government has added more types of investment incentives, such as: Exemption from import tax on goods imported to create fixed assets; Exemption or reduction of land use levy, land rent, land use tax; Quick depreciation, increase deductible expenses when calculating taxable income.

5. The Government has added more business lines eligible for investment incentives, covering preservation of drugs, manufacture of medical equipment, university education , and manufacture of products on the list of industries prioritized for development such as new materials, new energy, clean energy, renewable energy, products with 30% or more added value, energy-saving products, waste collection, waste treatment, waste recycling and waste reuse.

Some other notable provisions of the new Law on Investment:

– Organizations and individuals are banned from providing debt collection service.
– In case of overlapping between the new Law and other laws, this Law does not apply when the project involves public investment capital, business investment and operation on the securities market, the project is carried out in public-private partnership mode. The legal framework prescribing PPP projects will be set out in the PPP Law, rather than in the Law on Investment as previously.
– 26 business lines are removed from the list of conditional business activities, including services of commercial arbitration organizations, debt trading services, franchising and logistics services to name a few. Conditional business activities must satisfy all conditions related to national defense and security, social order and safety, social ethics and community health. The removal of 26 conditional business lines under the new Law will increase market access for foreign investors.
– The Provincial People’s Committee now has the authority to approve Decision on Investment Policy related to (i) Projects request for permission to convert land use purpose (ii) Specific projects for construction of residential housing and urban zones (iii) Projects for construction and commercial operation of golf course (iv) Projects in areas affecting national defense and security. Under the current law, investors would have to request for the above-mentioned project approval from the Prime Minister and the process for that is very time-consuming.

Compared to the current Law on Investment 2014, the new Law taking effect on 1 January 2021 enhances legal certainty with regards to the rights and obligations of investors, reduces administrative burden and sets forth more investment benefits for foreign investors, showing the State’s effort to boost capital inflow from abroad. The ratification of the new Law on Investment is another inherent proof that the Government undertakes to recover the national economy post Covid-19 outbreak, promote citizens’ living standards while observing its international commitments.

For more information on the above, please do not hesitate to contact the author Dr. Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com. Dr. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC, Member to the Supervisory Board of PetroVietnam Insurance JSC and the only foreign lawyer presenting in Vietnamese language to members of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF VIETNAM.

Posted on by Dr. Oliver Massmann

VIETNAM – THE EU-VIETNAM FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TAKING EFFECT FROM 1 AUGUST 2020

The date has been set for the landmark EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (“EVFTA” or “Agreement”) to take effect on 1 August 2020. The Agreement is anticipated to bring significant advantages for enterprises, employees and consumers in both the European Union (“EU”) and Vietnam. According to analysis carried out by the Government as well as the World Bank, Vietnam expects an increase in the country’s GDP to be 2,18 – 3,25% (years 2020 – 2023); 4,57 – 5,30% (years 2024 – 2028) and 7,07 – 7,72% (years 2029 – 2033). Concurrently, exports from Vietnam to EU are to rise 20% in 2020, the figure is to double in 2025. In addition, with the possibility of skilled laborers’ wage to rise by up to 12%, with salaries of common workers increasing by 13%, the Agreement can help lift around 800,000 people out of poverty by 2030.

The EVFTA is the most comprehensive and ambitious trade and investment agreement that the EU has ever concluded with a developing country in Asia. It is the second free trade agreement in the ASEAN region with EU, after Singapore, and it will intensify bilateral relations between Vietnam and the EU. Coupled with the trend of investors continuously withdrawing capital and production out of China in recent months, the EVFTA is contributing to turn Vietnam into the manufacturing hub of Asia.

Under the EVFTA, Vietnam has not only opened additional sub-sectors for EU service providers, but also made commitments deeper than those outlined in the WTO, offering the EU the best possible access to Vietnam’s market. Sub-sectors that Vietnam commits to under the EVFTA (but not WTO) include: Interdisciplinary Research & Development (R&D) services; nursing services, physiotherapists and para-medical personnel; packaging services; trade fairs and exhibitions services and building-cleaning services.

Some notable provisions of the EVFTA:

Tax

Vietnam commits to eliminate import duties on 48.5% of tariff lines, equivalent to 64.5% of EU exports immediately after the Agreement comes into effect.
After 7 years, import taxes on 91.8% of tariff lines (equivalent to 97.1% of EU exports) will be removed by Vietnam. After 10 years, the elimination rate will be 98.3% of the total tariff lines, equal to 99.8% of the EU’s exports respectively.

Similarly, nearly 100% of Vietnam’s exports to the EU will be eliminated import tax after 10 years. So far, this is the highest level of commitment a partner has given Vietnam in a trade agreement. This is especially meaningful when the EU has been one of the two largest export markets of the country.

Market access

For the sectors listed in each party’s Specific Schedule of Commitments, except where there is a specific reservation, the two parties undertake to not apply restrictions related to: (i) the number of businesses allowed to participate in the market, (ii) the transaction value, (iii) the number of activities, (iv) foreign capital contribution, (v) the form of legal entities, and (vi) the number of natural persons recruitment.

Public procurement packages

Under the EVFTA, Vietnam commits to allow EU contractors to participate in bidding packages that simultaneously meet the three conditions regarding Value of bidding package; Procurement agency; Goods and services require procurement.

Vietnam’s commitments on Government procurement mainly deal with the obligation to treat EU bidders, or domestic bidders with EU investment capital, equally with Vietnamese bidders when the Government purchases goods or requests a service worth over the specified threshold. Vietnam undertakes to follow the general principles of National Treatment and Non-discrimination. The EVFTA also requires its parties to assess bids based on fair and objective principles, evaluate and award bids only based on criteria set out in notices and tender documentation and create an effective regime for complaints and settling disputes. These rules require parties to ensure that their bidding procedures match the commitments and protect their own interests, thus helping Vietnam to solve its problem of bids being won by cheap but low-quality service providers.

It should be noted that Vietnam reserves the right to retain a certain proportion of the value of bidding packages for domestic contractors, goods, services and labor.

Distribution service

Vietnam has agreed to abolish the requirement of economic needs test five years after the date of entry into force of the Agreement, but Vietnam reserves the right to implement the distribution system planning on a non-discriminatory basis. Vietnam also agrees not to discriminate in the production, import and distribution of alcohol, allowing EU businesses to reserve their operating conditions under current licenses and only need one license to carry out import, distribution, wholesale and retail activities.

It should be noted that the EVFTA contains a Memorandum of Understanding concerning Bank Equity, in which Vietnam pleads to favorably consider allowing EU credit institutions to raise foreign ownership to 49% of charter capital in two Vietnamese joint stock commercial banks. This commitment, if enacted, will be valid for 5 years only (after the expiry of 5 years Vietnam will not be bound by this commitment) and is not applicable to 4 banks where the State is holding majority shares (i.e. BIDV, Vietinbank, Vietcombank and Agribank).

Vietnam will benefit more from the EVFTA compared with other such agreements, since Vietnam and the EU are considered to be two supporting and complementary markets. In other words, Vietnam exports goods that the EU cannot or does not produce itself (i.e. fishery products, tropical fruits, etc.) while the products imported from the EU are also those Vietnam does not produce domestically, including machinery, aircraft and high-quality pharmaceutical products.

Vietnam has been making visible efforts and progress to meet the high standards set out in the EVFTA. From 1 August 2020, the Agreement will create sustainable growth, mutual benefits in various sectors and be an effective tool to balance trade relations between the EU and Vietnam.

***
Please do not hesitate to contact the author Dr. Oliver Massmann via email under omassmann@duanemorris.com. Dr. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC, Member to the Supervisory Board of PetroVietnam Insurance JSC and the only foreign lawyer presenting in Vietnamese language to members of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF VIETNAM.

Posted on by Dr. Oliver Massmann

VIETNAM – EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EU-VIETNAM FREE TRADE AGREEMENT AND THE COMPREHENSIVE AND PROGRESSIVE AGREEMENT FOR TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP

Globalization, global economic integration and trade liberalization have now become prominent in the world economy. Following such trend, Vietnam has been taking better steps to integrate into the world economy. Looking back at the nearly 30-year journey since Vietnam was a closed economy and started to implement the Doi Moi (Renovation) policy from the Party’s sixth national congress when the international economic integration was simply referred to as an open economy, up to now, Vietnam’s international integration policy has become much more detailed and complete. The first significant milestone in when Vietnam officially became the 150th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 11 January 2007, after 11 years of accession negotiations. From then, a new period began: Vietnam’s economy has integrated more deeply and comprehensively into the world economy.

Vietnam has participated in integration at both regional and international levels and has established meaningful relationships with major partners. Especially in recent years, Vietnam has actively participated in negotiations and signed the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), which is complementary to the goal of multilateral trade and investment liberalization when such cooperation has been facing many hurdles. Among 13 Free Trade Agreements that Vienam has signed, the FTA with the European Union (EVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) must be highlighted. These two agreements are considered new-generation free trade agreements because they contain unprecedented commitments under the previous FTAs signed by Vietnam. They have encouraged and accelerated institutional reform in order to improve the legal environment in compliance with Vietnam’s commitments. As a result, they help Vietnam to become a competitive economy, attract foreign investment, advanced technology and other important resources for development.

However, in order to take advantage of the incentives under these Agreements to attract foreign investment, in this article, I would like to evaluate the outstanding advantages of EVFTA and CPTPP as well as the implementation of these two Agreements from the perspective of a foreign investor with regard to: (1) market access; (2) government procurement; and (3) dispute resolution.

I. ADVANTAGES
1. Market Access
a. EVFTA
Market Access for Goods
Vietnam commits to eliminate import duties on 48.5% of tariff lines, equivalent to 64.5% of EU exports immediately after the EVFTA comes into effect on 1 August 2020. After 10 years, the elimination rate will be 99% of the total tariff lines, equal to 99.8% of the EU’s exports respectively. For some products such as motorcycles over 1,500cc, automobile parts and about half of EU exported medicine products, the tax reduction mechanism will apply after 7 years from the effective date. For the remaining tariff lines, Vietnam will have a roadmap of over 10 years or give preferential treatment to the EU on the basis of tariff quotas. This is considered an unprecedented commitment to deep tax cuts for a developing country like Vietnam, which has demonstrated the ambition for deep integration and strengthened trade relations with the EU.

Market Access for Services
Although Vietnam’s commitments under the WTO are used as a basis for negotiating its commitments under the EVFTA, Vietnam has not only opened additional sectors/sub-sectors for EU service providers but also made higher commitments than those outlined in the WTO resulting in EU investors being given best access to Vietnam’s market. Sectors/sub-sectors that Vietnam is not committed to under the WTO, but are open for EU investors include, but not limited to: interdisciplinary Research & Development (R&D) services; nursing services, physiotherapists and para-medical personnel; packaging services; trade fairs and exhibitions services and building-cleaning services. It is worth noting that the EVFTA includes the most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment provisions that allow a party to give the other party the highest level of treatment it is negotiating with any third party in other agreement.

b. CPTPP
Market Access for Goods
Vietnam commits to eliminate nearly 100% of tariff lines, in which: (i) 65.8% of tariff lines have 0% tax rate after the CPTPP takes effect from 14 January 2019; (ii) 86.5% of tariff lines have a 0% tax rate in the fourth year after the CPTPP takes effect; (iii) 97.8% of tariff lines have 0% tax rate in the 11th year after the CPTPP takes effect; (iv) import tax on remaining items shall be abolished in the 16th year or in accordance with tariff quotas. The CPTPP also covers issues that have never been addressed in the WTO including import duties, export duties for re-manufactured goods, re-furbished goods, market access for re-furbished goods, monopolies and goods in transit.

Market Access for Services and Investment
All 11 member-states give consent to a liberalized trade in this area. More sectors are opened under the CPTPP compared with the WTO, such as telecommunications, distribution and manufacturing sectors.
In addition, besides incorporating basic WTO principles (national treatment (NT), most-favored nation treatment (MFN), market access, and local presence), the CPTPP takes a negative approach, meaning that their markets are fully open to service suppliers from other CPTPP Parties, except otherwise indicated in their commitments (i.e, non-conforming measures). In order to make such reservations, the member state must prove the necessity of such preservation and negotiate with other member states. If approved, non-conforming measures must only be limited to such list, except for measures in certain sensitive sectors that are included in a separate list. Member states are only allowed to adopt policies that are better than what they commit (ratchet principle). The CPTPP also includes obligations on removal of performance requirements (i.e., no conditions on local content requirements, export conditions, use of certain technology, location of the investment project, etc.) and reasonable requirements on senior management and board of directors. Notably, the CPTPP Chapter on Investment for the first time successfully clarified the MFN principle- countries operating in multi-state regime must give foreign investors the best investment conditions in all states, regardless of the location of the state where the investment takes place. Investors are also allowed to petition against the Government from the investment registration stage.

2. Government Procurement
Vietnam has one of the highest ratios of public investment-to-GDP in the world (39% annually from 1995). However, until now, Vietnam has not agreed to its government procurement being covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) of the WTO. Now, for the first time, Vietnam has undertaken to do so in the EVFTA and CPTPP. Investors of member states will surely get access to large government procurement market with many incentives and advantages.

a. EVFTA
The Government Procurement Chapter mainly deals with the requirement to treat EU bidders, or domestic bidders with EU investment capital, equally with Vietnamese bidders when a Government purchases goods or requests a service worth over the specified threshold. Vietnam undertakes to publish information on tender in a timely manner, allow sufficient time for bidders to prepare for and submit bids and maintain the confidentiality of tenders. The EVFTA also requires its Parties to assess bids based on fair and objective principles, evaluate and award bids only based on criteria set out in notices and tender documents and create an effective regime for complaints and settling disputes, and so on. These rules require Parties to ensure that their bidding procedures match the commitments and protect their own interests, thus helping Vietnam to solve its problem of bids being won by cheap but low-quality service providers.

We also believe that these changes in procedures and laws related to government procurement will allow EU exporters to access previously closed markets and compete more effectively.

b. CPTPP
The CPTPP makes a list of government entities and agencies whose procurement of particular goods and services at a particular amount must be subject to public tender. In other words, a bidding package is only subject to CPTPP if it satisfies all 3 criteria on the subject matter of procurement, type of goods and services, and procurement threshold. Any negotiation to expand coverage of the Government Procurement chapter, particularly in relation to state government and local government contracts, will be delayed. Parties will only initiate talks on this issue at least five years after the date of entry into force of the CPTPP.
This chapter includes NT and MFN principles, removes tender conditions favoring local tenders such as using local goods or local suppliers, conditions on technology transfer or two-way trade and investment, etc. These rules require all parties, to reform their bidding procedures and protect their own interests by disqualifying tenders with poor performance and low capacity.

3. Dispute resolution
a. EVFTA
For any investment-related dispute (i.e. expropriation without compensation, investment discrimination), an investor is allowed to bring such dispute to the Investment Court for settlement (Investor-state dispute settlement mechanism- ISDS). The final arbitration award is binding and enforceable without the local courts’ review of its validity. This is an advantage for European investors as the fact shows that the percentage of applications for enforcement of foreign arbitral awards being rejected by the Vietnamese courts is notably high for various reasons.

b. CPTPP
The CPTPP aims at protecting investors and their investment in the host country by introducing requirements on non-discrimination; fair and equitable treatment; full protection and security; the prohibition of expropriation that is not for public purpose, without due process, or without compensation; the free transfer of funds related to investments; and the freedom to appoint senior management positions regardless of nationality.
For the first time investors of a party may sue the Government of the other party for its violation of investment-related commitments when the investors make investment in that party. However, please note that under the CPTPP, investors will not be able to sue the Government using ISDS clauses if there is any dispute in connection with an investment agreement. An investment agreement is a written agreement that is concluded and takes effect after the date of entry into force of the CPTPP, between an authority at the central level of government of a Party and a covered investment or an investor of another Party, that creates an exchange of rights and obligations, binding on both parties under the applicable law. Investment agreement refers to an agreement in writing, negotiated and executed by both parties, whether in the form of single or multiple instruments. A unilateral act of an administrative or judicial authority, such as a permit, license, authorization, certificate, approval, etc. and an administrative or judicial consent decree or order will not be considered a written agreement.
The CPTPP also includes procedures for arbitration as means of settling disputes between investors and the host state. It covers new provisions compared with existing agreements such as transparency in arbitral proceedings, disclosure of filings and arbitral awards, and participation of interested non-disputing parties to make amicus curiae submissions to a tribunal. Arbitral awards are final, binding and fully enforceable in CPTPP countries.

II. DIFFICULTIES
1. Market Access
a. Market Access for Goods
As mentioned above, both the EVFTA and CPTPP contain commitments to broad tariff cuts. However, how enterprises can make full use of these commitments is somewhat closely related to the rules of origin of goods.
Vietnam’s manufacture sector currently depends on raw materials imported from non-EU member countries as the value-added amount generated from abroad is higher than in the country. If this situation does not improve, it will be difficult for Vietnamese goods to meet strict rules of origin in these two agreements. Therefore, the Government should issue policies to encourage enterprises to participate in the global value chain, reduction of trade costs, simplification of customs procedures, and transparency in non-tariff policies.
Besides, regarding the mechanism of certification of origin, when as the EVFTA and Vietnamese law stipulate that the competent authorities to issue certificates of origin, the CPTPP requires applying a self-certification of origin mechanism- importers, exporters and manufacturers can make self-certification of origin. This creates an obstacle for Vietnam because Vietnam only allows a few pilot cases of self-certification of origin in ASEAN. Furthermore, enterprises themselves are not flexible and proactive in determining the origin of goods, possibly leading to a delay in tariff preferences under the CPTPP. Because there are projects where the cost and time spent working with authorities issuing a certification of origin is in excess of the preferential tariffs granted, some enterprises are hesitant to apply for the certification of origin under the agreements. As a result, tariff preferences for goods originating from member states are not used.
Although the CPTPP does not require Vietnam to immediately implement this self-certification mechanism, some importing countries may have/will apply this mechanism after the CPTPP takes effect. Therefore, the Vietnamese government should issue regulations on self-certification of origin as soon as possible and consult with the business community on how to structure enterprises and maximize the benefits of the CPTPP.

b. Market Access for Services
The CPTPP and EVFTA are considered to have created more services sectors than the WTO. However, in reality, enterprises still meet difficulties when carrying out investment in Vietnam, specifically as follows:
• Enterprise registration: Although the investor has submitted the application for enterprise registration online, the information technology system of the enterprise registration agency is somewhat outdated, leading to disruptions and delays in the process. Post-licensing procedures such as social insurance registration, seal registration, bank account opening, payment of licensing costs, etc. …are cumbersome and time-consuming for enterprises. The Government should consider reducing unnecessary steps, or create conditions for enterprises to carry out post-licensing procedures through a portal.
• Infrastructure for electricity, transport and logistics: Weak infrastructure is a barrier to the development of Vietnam’s economy. The shortage of power occurs frequently in industrial parks. Deep-sea ports currently do not meet the high demand for maritime transportation. The Government should consider development of transportation infrastructure, ensuring that seaports and airports are accessible to people but not too close to residential areas to avoid congestion.
• High cost of legal compliance: Many overlapping and conflicting documents make it difficult for enterprises to implement compliance. In particular, in many areas such as taxation, insurance, enterprises must comply with too many regulations, and many new regulations are regularly introduced which affect the stable and predictable operation of enterprises. Therefore, the Government should ensure the stability of policies, especially tax policies to attract more foreign investments.
• Corruption: Action by the Government has reduced corruption rate in recent years, however, enterprises still face with petty corruption when they carry out administrative procedures. In order to prevent this situation, the Government should apply information technology in carrying out administrative procedures (such as online filing, cameras installation to monitor administrative officers at check-in counters, etc.) as well as conduct unplanned inspections more often to control any negative issues.
• Land registration and management: It is difficult for investors to access Vietnam’s land database. Public and transparent information on real estate is limited. Therefore, investors face with many difficulties when developing projects, especially projects that need to consume large land area. In order not to hinder foreign investment in the development of high quality projects, it is necessary to create favorable conditions for investors to access land information, which can be charged if necessary.

In addition, a preliminary review indicates that although Vietnam has opened more service sectors under the EVFTA and CPTPP, domestic laws still set out restrictions that should be removed soon by the Government to comply with Vietnam’s commitments:
• Accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services (CPC 862): Vietnam economy is fully integrated under the CPTPP and EVFTA, but Vietnam laws do not allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned enterprises operating in accounting and auditing sectors.
• Architectural services (CPC 8671): Vietnam opens this sector under the CPTPP and EVFTA but Vietnam laws require investment in this area in the form of a joint venture or foreign investors must use Vietnamese subcontractors.
• Basic telecommunications services: Vietnam law complies with the commitments under the CPTPP but it is not compatible with the level of accession required under the EVFTA.
• Regarding the list of goods that foreign investors are not permitted to distribute: CPTPP makes a longer list than that set out in Vietnam laws.
• Higher education services (CPC 923), adult education (CPC 924), and other education services (CPC 929 including foreign language training): Vietnam is committed to fully open these under the CPTPP and EVFTA (except requirements on foreign teachers’ experience and qualifications). However, Vietnam law sets out conditions for foreign investors such as conditions on facilities, number of lecturers, etc.
• Customs clearance/customs brokerage services: Vietnam is committed to fully open these services under the CPTPP and EVFTA, but Vietnam law provides restrictions.
• Container handling services (CPC 741): Vietnam is committed to fully open these sectors under the CPTPP, but domestic laws provide restrictions.

2. Government Procurement
Both the CPTPP and EVFTA require the disclosure of bidding information and transparency in the selection of contractors, however, in fact the bidding period is prolonged, openness and transparency in the bidding information is limited, many bidding packages are invited only for formality, evaluation of bid documents are not based on criteria of tender documents. If this situation continues, foreign investors will hesitate to participate in bidding in Vietnam.
To solve this problem, the Ministry of Planning and Investment has vigorously promoted online bidding. Online bidding has contributed to the end of “blue army, red army” situation (“quân xanh, quân đỏ”), which limited transparency in bidding. In addition, template dossiers used for goods procurement, construction and consultancy are posted on the system, helping investors to fill in information for each step and each stage. After completion, information will be processed by the system to provide bidding price based on the bidding unit price and the quantity of goods/services of the bidding package to make the bidding process take place more quickly and conveniently.
Despite many advantages, the online bidding rate is not high. This is because the bidding network system is weak, is not regularly upgraded and its interface is not friendly with users. Furthermore, the awareness of enterprises about the advantages of online bidding is limited, so they are not willing to participate in electronic bidding packages. In order for online bidding to become popular and further enhance transparency, the Department of Public Procurement should propagate and train enterprises on online bidding so that they are willing to participate in more electronic bidding packages in the system.

3. Dispute Resolution
Under the Civil Procedure Code, any judgment or decision (civil) of a foreign jurisdiction is effective in Vietnam if the competent court of Vietnam recognizes it. The Vietnamese court will recognize any judgments or decisions issued by the courts of the country with which Vietnam has signed a mutual legal assistance agreement. In addition, recognition can also be considered on a reciprocal basis without any mutual legal assistance agreement.
However, under the CPTPP and EVIPA, the arbitral award will be final and binding on the parties and can be enforced directly without recognition and enforcement mechanism of foreign arbitral awards in Vietnam. Although Vietnam has reserved the right to fulfill this commitment for 5 years, the Government should study and revise the domestic laws in this regard right now to ensure they comply with the commitments under CPTPP and EVIPA. Any amendments of domestic regulations made on timely basis will make foreign investors feel safe and secured in their investments in case any dispute occurs.

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Please do not hesitate to contact the author Dr. Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com. Dr. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC, Member to the Supervisory Board of PetroVietnam Insurance JSC and the only foreign lawyer presenting in Vietnamese language to members of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF VIETNAM.

Posted on by Dr. Oliver Massmann

VIETNAM – THE NEW LAW ON PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS – MAIN IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE OLD LEGAL FRAMEWORK:

1. Main improvements of the new PPP law over the old legal framework:

-Investment sector reduction: Article 04.01 of the new law sets out 05 investment sectors. Compared to Article 04.01 of Decree No. 63/2018/ND-CP, the scope of investment sectors in the new law has been narrowed down to 5 sectors: transportation, healthcare, education, transmission grid, water. This list implies the intention of the Government in promoting primary and sustainable economic sectors. If investors engage in projects related to these sectors, they will benefit from investment incentives (Article 79 & 80), especially those set forth in the new Law on Investment 2020 such as preferred enterprise income tax, exemption or reduction of land lease fee, credit support to name a few.
The PPP law also stipulates the total investment capital requirement for a PPP project. For instance, excluding Operation & Maintenance Contracts, power projects must have the minimum total invested capital of VND 200 billions. The figure is lower (VND 100 billions) for projects in areas with difficult socio-economic conditions.
-Open bidding commitment: While Decree No. 63/2018/ND-CP does not prescribe the open bidding process, the new law of PPP treats it as a prerequisite. In specific, Article 37 of the new law requires that all PPP projects must apply the open bidding process for selection of preferred investors, except for cases provided in Article 38; 39; 40 (e.g. there are less than 3 qualified investors, the project applies technologies that are prioritized for development, there’s a need to protect national security…). The open bidding process entitles investors to compete in good faith for the PPP projects. Hence, foreign investors should make use of this process, also with their advantages of substantial investment capital, to win the bids of major projects.

2. Do you think the new law is likely to make PPPs in Vietnam more attractive to foreign investors specifically? Our understanding has been that at least in the water sector, foreign investors have felt reluctant towards PPPs due to the previous lack of guarantees.

Absolutely. The main goal of the new law is to attract investors, especially foreign investors, to execute PPP projects. Types of guarantees under the new PPP law include:
– Guarantee of access to land, exercise of land use right and other public goods.
– Guarantee of provision of civil service.
– Guarantee of right to mortgage of property, right to operate project and infrastructure.
– Guarantee of revenue risk sharing.
-Guarantee of foreign-currency balance-ensuring scheme.
Vietnam commits to provide guarantees for private and foreign investors. The issue, however, lies on the enforcement ability of officials. Thus, in case investors are deprived of above guarantees, investors shall assert claim against authorities before Vietnamese courts or arbitration bodies to be granted award (article 97 of the new law).

3. In your opinion, are there any sectors where the appetite for PPPs will be larger than in other sectors? Does this reflect the current attitudes towards PPPs in different sectors, or is it something that could change with the new law?

The new law reflects market demand: the 5 eligible sectors under PPP law are also the sectors that have been, are and will in the long run require funding from foreign investors. This is due to the increasing demand in those sectors not corresponding with the limited State budget.

4. In the water sector, while we haven’t seen much large-scale activity under the previous PPP decrees, we have seen privately financed projects proceed under the Direct Investment Law – could this have a negative impacts on PPPs under the PPP law in the sense that such projects are ‘competing’ with the PPP law?

A reason why projects may have chosen to follow the route set out in the Law on Investment is because the framework for investment procedures under it is less complex and less time-consuming than the one set out for PPP projects. However, for large-scale projects, it is recommended that investors follow the latter form since PPP projects come with certain guarantees and commitment from the Vietnamese government, which can help investors to avoid substantial risks if risks cannot be managed well.

5. Obstacles which the new law does not address might bother potential investors:

– The difficulty in disbursement of state budget: The overlapping regulations in legal documents such as Law on State Budget and Law on Public Investment deters special purpose entities from receiving investment capital from state budget.
– Legal uncertainty in the judgment of Vietnamese courts: Indeed, for most foreign investors, international arbitration centers are the preferred choice, rather than Vietnamese courts, whose judgments maybe biased. Investors may struggle for dispute settlement if trial clarity does not improve.
– Burden of administrative procedures: In 2018, the Vietnamese government issued Resolution No. 19/2018/NQ-CP on implementation of major duties and measures to improve business environment. The Resolution featured determination of central authorities in reducing and reforming administrative procedures. Investors, however, still have to fulfill lengthy and unclear administrative procedures before operation of business and investment.

6. Opinions on how likely it is that there will be political will in favor of PPPs:

In the 1980s, Vietnam, with a central-planning economy, put an unfriendly attitude towards private sector and foreign investment. The accession to WTO and a variety of FTAs, however, has changed the attitude of Vietnamese authorities as to these economic sectors. Indeed, respectively in 2017 and 2019, the Central Committee and the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) issued two resolutions on private sector and foreign investment, particularly the Resolution No. 10/NQ-TW on developing the private economy sector into an important motivation of the socialist-oriented market economy and the Resolution No. 50/NQ-TW on orientations to perfect mechanisms, policies, raise quality and efficiency of foreign investment by 2030. These resolutions significantly emphasized the promotion and variation of PPP projects to which private and foreign investors are parties. Therefore, Vietnamese government and other authorities, in accordance with the CPV’s directions, will certainly assist investors in implementing PPP projects, especially large-scale ones.

Please do not hesitate to contact the author Dr. Oliver Massmann under omassmann@duanemorris.com. Dr. Oliver Massmann is the General Director of Duane Morris Vietnam LLC, Member to the Supervisory Board of PetroVietnam Insurance JSC and the only foreign lawyer presenting in Vietnamese language to members of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF VIETNAM.

© 2009- Duane Morris LLP. Duane Morris is a registered service mark of Duane Morris LLP.

The opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and are not to be construed as legal advice.

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