Organisers Highlight Importance, Clarify Confusion

As Defense & Security Expo Vietnam 2019 (DSE), which takes place at ICE in Hanoi 2-4 October, rapidly approaches, Regional Director for the organisers, Ooi Teik Chai (OTC), speaks exclusively with Mönch Online News (MON), defining and highlighting the provenance and importance of the event and clarifying existing confusion.

MON: Why is Vietnam such a strategically important venue for an international defence exposition and as a marketplace?
OTC: Vietnam has recently planned to proceed with a less restrictive and more open approach than in past years in the development and build-up of its military and security forces. The first specific move it took was in participating with an exhibition booth in Indo Defence 2018, promoting its defence industry. In addition, there are recent significant increases in its defence budget allocations over the last few years for its military modernisation and upgrading programmes.

MON: What can DSE accomplish that other expositions cannot?
OTC: Both the Ministry of National Defence (MND) and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) have recognised the organisational experience of Expo Services and its local partner, EiFEC Company Ltd, entrusting them with delivery of a quality show for Vietnam.
Expo Services – the same team that runs the successful ADAS series in Manila – is experienced in organising defence and security expos in the Asia-Pacific region.

EiFEC managed and organised the Homeland Security Expo, which was endorsed by the MPS, with its former partner, NEXGEN, in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and so has the experience of organising security shows.

DSE Vietnam 2019 is the first and only tri-service defence and security expo that is fully endorsed by the two said Ministries to serve Vietnam.

MON: Any business activities in Vietnam – especially expositions – require governmental approval on a very strictly controlled basis. Which Vietnamese governmental bodies officially authorised this event?
OTC: Both the MND and the MPS went to great lengths to verify the backgrounds of and engage with the co-organisers, Expo Services Pte Ltd and EiFEC Company Ltd, before endorsing the Event.

MON: Vietnam faces significant challenges with its largest neighbour over the islands in the South China Sea. How does it cope with issues such as this?
OTC: Every country has to look after its own national interest. It is the same with Vietnam. With the political and strategic developments in the region over the last five years or so, particularly in the South China Sea (East Sea), Vietnam has been forced to accelerate its military modernisation and upgrading programmes to enhance its defence and security forces. It has thus increased its budget allocation for defence and security significantly. It has simultaneously engaged in many bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation efforts to promote peace and security in the region and to strengthen its strategic alliances with many countries around the world.

MON: What are the advantages Vietnam offers as a defence industrial partner in the broader international marketplace?
OTC: Vietnam hopes to develop its own defence industry, to improve its self-reliance in military product manufacturing capabilities. It is fast developing the latest technologies and building up its military capabilities along with its plans to modernise its capability. It hopes to partner with established defence manufacturers and engage in technology transfer projects, while developing further joint venture arrangements.

MON: What are the visa and export requirements for participating in DSE Vietnam 2019? How can the organisers help exhibitors and visitors?
OTC: Vietnam has organised the Homeland Security Expo for the last three years and the MPS and associated agencies are familiar with processing temporary imports of military and security exhibits.

The official freight forwarder, APT Show Freight, is a specialist forwarder for defence and security exhibits in the region, and they are also familiar with the exhibit import procedures in Vietnam, with offices in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Min City.

The Defense Economic Technical Industry Corporation (GAET), as nominated by the MND, and the Department of Equipment Supplies and Warehousing, as nominated by the MPS, are co-organisers with us for the event. Thus, the visa and re-export requirements will be well coordinated and taken care of.