The UKTI and BBGV are organising a webinar on water supply and treatment @9.00 GMT 4th September 2014. The webinar will provide the participants an overview about the sector in Vietnam as well as opportunities available.

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Vietnam is facing lots of environmental and clean water supply issues, water treatment and tackling climate change's negative impacts are among the most serious issues that need to be addressed urgently. With a population of 90 million, Vietnam is the 13th most populous country in the world and it is anticipated that by end of 2020, the country's urban population would be around 42.6 million, accounting for 46.7% of its total population. Meanwhile, at present, there is still a shortage of water supply systems and only about 10% of the urban waste water is treated. Urban drainage systems are in degrading condition and can only meet 60% of the demand.

This webinar has been designed to provide UK companies with the following:
• Overview of the Vietnam water supply and water treatment sector;
• Flagging the business opportunities in the Vietnam market in this sector.

HIGHLIGHTS

- Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo ("Jokowi") was declared the winner of Indonesia's presidential election, which took place on 9 July.

- Thailand's economy narrowly avoided slipping into a technical recession in the second quarter. Investment and exports remain weak but rebounding consumer confidence is a positive sign.

- Malaysia's economy grew by an impressive 6.4% in the year to the second quarter.

- Domestic economic restructuring slowed Singapore‟s economic growth rate to 2.4% in the second quarter.

- Economic growth in the Philippines slowed to 5.7% in the first quarter (latest official figures), but remains healthy and is expected to strengthen during the rest of 2014.

- The Vietnamese economy is gradually improving, growing at a rate of 5.3% in the second quarter, but remains below potential.

- Burma is planning to remove a ban on foreign companies participating in trading activities.

For more information, please see attached file.

Remember 1945 at The Caravelle.
Tuesday 2nd September 2014

Independence may have been declared in Hanoi, but Ho Chi Minh City is where the culinary fanfare will reach its greatest glory 2nd September. Plan to celebrate Vietnam's most revered holiday on level 3 overlooking the historic Saigon Opera House, where the chefs have prepared a sumptuous buffet menu that is itself worthy of remembrance. From the sea, they'll be plating prawns, clams, squid, oysters and other delights from four action stations. The main courses run a gamut from stuffed zucchini to roasted beef chuck eye roll. And of course, no such remembrance would be complete without the Caravelle's sumptuous take on the cream caramel. The cost for the city's most memorable meal this 2nd September with free flow of selected house wines is VND1,200,000++ per person. Caravelle Classic Club benefits will be applied for members.
Opera 1 & 2 – 3rd Floor
Price is subject to 5% Service Charge and 10% VAT
For information, please contact (84) 906 900 523 or email: eam-fb@caravellehotel.com
For reservation, please visit: caravellehotel.com/fb-reservation.aspx



Platinum burgers at The Caravelle.
From 1st to 30th September 2014

Good news for all burger lovers out there!
Big burgers pack big punches at lunch on The Caravelle's September menu. Get your laughing gear into our Platinum burger, making its first appearance, packed with favourites such as a fried egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, sautéed onions and beetroot – a juicy coleslaw keeping the French fries company. Take on the Platinum offering at lunch and be rewarded with a glass of Saigon's newest craft beer, Platinum Pale Ale draught – all for VND 389,000++
Saigon Saigon Bar – Rooftop via 9th Floor
Price is subject to 5% Service Charge and 10% VAT
For more information, please contact (84) 906 900 523 or email:  eam-fb@caravellehotel.com

Total Body Bliss at Kara Salon & Spa
Valid until 31st October

Kara Salon & Spa is enticing spa goers to an extended pampering session this September and October with complimentary therapies to enhance each visit. Book any of the spa's indulgent 90-minute facials or body massages from 1st September to 31st October, and have your pick of a free 30-minute foot reflexology treatment, full-body scrub or back, head and shoulder massage.

Kara Salon & Spa – 7th Floor
For more information, please contact (848) 3823 4999 or emaiL: kara.spa@caravellehotel.com

Mr. Giles Lever (standing fourth from the left), British Ambassador (Designate) to Vietnam visited staff at the BBGV. ukinvietnam

Our staff presented to the Ambassador (Designate) our strategy including new values and traits (which will be disclosed to you soon), what we have done to support British community in Vietnam as well as our new Business Centre services.

The Ambassador looks forward to supporting the BBGV and its Business Centre to enhance the UK-Vietnam business relationship further.

The 14th BBGV Annual Fun Run for Charity is coming this September!

Since 2000, over 55,000 people have taken part. We know that you have many "FUN RUN" photos and would like to share with us ... Here is your chance as BBGV is hosting a Photo Contest called "YOUR BEST FUN RUN MOMENTS". So don't be shy; submit your best Fun Run photo and you will stand a chance of winning a prize.

Here are the details:
Anyone who has ever joined our Fun Run as runners, walkers or photographers can submit their one (01) photo. Please send us your photo (ideally the original photo, minimum 1MB, maximum 5MB) with rational to communications@bbgv.org, we will help you to share it on our Facebook page.

The most - liked facebook photo - will become the winner. Get your friends to like it so you can have a better chance of winning.

Submission and Voting date: 28 August to 19 September 2014.

Prizes for the Winner:
- 1 Accommodation voucher at SALINDA Phu Quoc Spa & Resort
- 10 Complementary tickets to join our BBGV Annual Fun Run 2014 on Sunday 28 September 2014 with your lucky number on your bib.



About BBGV Annual Fun Run for Charity
Fun Run is a fun event and a great team building opportunity, which raises money for needy people in Vietnam. The BBGV 13th Annual Fun Run for Charity took place on Sunday 29 September 2013 launched 'GREAT WEEK' in Vietnam to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the UK. The Fun Run raised almost 750 million VND with 8,500 runners. Since the first Fun Run in 2000 the BBGV has raised 7 billion VND to benefit charities in Vietnam with 55,000 people taking part.

We would like to wish all our BBGV members and friends all the best for the Year of the Dragon

On Friday 12 September, over 90 guests, including sponsors and media representatives, attended the BBGV Fun Run 2014 Press Conference. Mr Douglas Barnes, Consul General of British Consulate General, Mr Paul Cleves, representative from BBGV Board and Mr Wai Kit Ho, BBGV Executive Director briefed the audience on the arrangements for this year's run as well as offered updates on the BBGV's charity activities related to this event. This year, the Fun Run expects to attract more than 9,000 runners in order to raise 900,000 million VND for charity. For more information, please see the Press Release in English.

The British Business Group Vietnam (BBGV) is proud to announce that our 14th annual Fun Run for Charity (Fun Run) has raised 900,000,000 VND with 10,000 participants taking part on Sunday, 28 September 2014 at Tan Trao Str., Phu My Hung, Dist. 7, HCMC.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to our sponsors: HSBC (Vietnam) Ltd; British International School, Prudential Vietnam, Rosneft, UK Auto (Land Rover), Etihad Airways, BASF Vietnam Co. LTD, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Jardine Matheson Limited, KFC Vietnam Joint Venture Company LTD, Viet Marketing Co., Ltd, Shell, Mubadala Petroleum, Caravelle Hotel, Coca Cola, Phu My Hung Corporation, SOUL Corporation, Forbes Vietnam, International SOS, The Caterers, Pizza Hut, Salinda Premium Resort and Spa, Topten, BVIS, Long Hai Security, Phu Ly Trading Service Co.,Ltd, WMC (Windsor Property Management Group Corporation), Alfresco Group, Saigon Indian, Kellogg's, Pizza Hut Vietnam, Baker and McKenzie, Damco Vietnam, Schindler, Snap Café, CBRE Vietnam, Chao Foto, Ivivu.com.; FoodPanda, Dat Viet VAC (HTV2), CityPass, Giai Tri TV, Saigoneer, The Word, Ơi Magazine metro solutions, Saigoneer, City Net Events, Forbes, Gafin, Galaxy Media (Nhip Cau Dau Tu), Angloinfo, Travetimes.

This year, our winners were:
• First Place Male: Mr. Nguyen Van Long, finished 4km with a recorded time of 13 minute and 02 second, won 1 economy Etihad Airways ticket to Europe and 1 Tissot Watch valued at 13,380,000 VND
• First Place Female: Ms. Nguyen Thi Hiep, finished 4km with a recorded time of 16 minute 01 minutes, won 1 economy Etihad Airways ticket to Europe and watch valued at 9,140,000 VND
• Second Place Male: Mr. Nguyen Dang Khoan won a voucher for 2 nights stay at Salinda Resort (Phu Quoc) valued at USD 550
• Second Place Female: Ms Elodie Airieau won a voucher for 2 nights stay at Salinda Resort (Phu Quoc) valued at USD 550
• First male teenager (13 to 18 years): Toby Holmes won 1 Tissot Watch valued at 13,380,000 VND
• First female teenager (13 to 18 years): Bailey Miller won 1 Tissot Watch valued at 9,140,000VND.
• BBGV Photo Contest winner: Ms Ly Yen Khanh won voucher for 1 night at Salinda Resort, Phu Quoc

The photos of the event are also available on BBGV Facebook page, please click here.

Please save the date for BBGV 15th Annual Fun Run for Charity on 27th September 2015.

For further information, please contact
• Ms Hoang Anh, Email: anh.luong@bbgv.org; Mobile: (84) (0) 98 96 123 84
• Ms My Chi, Email: chi.nguyen@bbgv.org; Mobile: (84) (0) 98 82 186 23

Note to editors: About BBGV
The British Business Group Vietnam ("BBGV"), which started as a luncheon club in 1991, was first licensed in 1996, and was the first foreign Business Group to obtain formal recognition in Vietnam. The BBGV now boasts more than 450 members and prides itself on its friendliness and approachability. BBGV's objectives are to promote British business and cultural interests in Vietnam in line with the opinions of Members regarding issues of common concern. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Group is closely associated with the annual Fun Run that the Group has organised since 2000, as part of its commitment to the local community.

The Vietnam Business Forum Consortium, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the World Bank Group, will hold the Annual Vietnam Business Forum ("VBF") 2014 in Hanoi on December 2, 2014. The Forum will be an opportunity for a structured dialogue between the Government, local and foreign businesses and the donor community to improve the business environment in Vietnam.

BBGV members are invited to attend the Forum. Please find below the official proceedings:

Tuesday, December 2, 2014
7am – 1.30pm
Sheraton Hanoi Hotel
K5 Nghi Tam, 11 Xuan Dieu Road, Tay Ho District,
Hanoi, Vietnam

The draft agenda of the Forum is attached herewith for your information.

In order to maintain the bi-annual frequency of this Forum in Hanoi as well as to better facilitate activities of all working groups, the VBF Preparation Meeting on October 15, 2014 has decided to collect participation fees at the Annual Forum as the Mid-term Forum in Hanoi and the recent Forum in HCMC as follows:

Member*: 500,000 VND per person
Non-Member: 1,000,000 VND per person
*Members are members of VBF Consortium Members and VBF Associate Consortium Members as well as VBF Working Groups.

BBGV members are offered 2 complimentary tickets and other 8 are applied at Member rate of 500,000 VND per person to participate in the forum.

Your confirmation is required by filling out and sending the attached Registration Form to the VBF Secretariat office in Hanoi by email info@vbf.org.vn or fax at (844) 3715 2218 by November 20, 2014.

The collection of participation fee should be made by registered participants or BBGV prior to the forum or at the venue to VBF Secretariat by either of the followings:

1. By bank transfer to VBF Secretariat Account
Account name: VIETNAM BUSINESS FORUM SECRETARIAT
Account number: 99 142344488 (VND)
Bank name: Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) Limited
Address: Ho Chi Minh City branch, Saigon Trade Centre, 37 Ton Duc Thang, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
SWIFT CODE: SCBLVNVX

2. By cash to VBF Secretariat at its office address: G/F, Sofitel Plaza Hotel, No. 1 Thanh Nien Road, Hanoi or at the venue on the forum date.

The BBGV 2nd Inter-Company Football and Badminton for Charity in Hanoi took place on Saturday 25 October 2014 at Hoai Duc Stadium, Hanoi City. We would like to congratulate all 16 teams and players who joined our great event.

The Football Tournament: It was a huge success with the winning team UK Alumni Vietnam becoming the overall champion of the tournament and earned the title: "Winner of the Champion League". Other winners were: The Champion League - Runner up: Luala Milano, The Europa League - Champion: Jardines, The Europa League - Runner up: Vietnam Airlines. The Top Goal Scorer was Mr. Huy from UK Alumni Vietnam who scored an impressive six goals.

The Badminton Tournament: Congratulations to Trung - Uyen from Hilton Hanoi Opera were the winners of the mixed doubles. The runner-up doubles was Hung – Quyen from KPMG Vietnam.

We also would like to thank our Sponsors:
- Platinum Sponsors: Alma and British University Vietnam
- Gold Sponsors: Jardines, Hongkong Land, Coats Phong Phu
- Silver Sponsor: Rolls Royce Vietnam
- And other In-kind Sponsors: Hilton Hanoi Opera, Hilton Garden Inn, Hotel Nikko Hanoi, International SOS, KOTO, Vietnam Airlines, Sab Miller, Moevenpick, Coca Cola.

Thanks to all the Football & Badminton teams for doing sports for a good cause. Huge thanks to all the Sponsors and Players for helping us raise almost 150 million VND for charities across Vietnam.

For photos of the event, please see on our facebook page.

The "Decent Work for People with Disabilities" project by Handicap International in Dong Nai Province has received this kind sponsorship from BBGV in 2013 to buy mobility aids for 32 people with disabilities.

On Friday 8th November 2014, the People Committee of Xuan Loc District has sent an acknowledgement certificate to BBGV to thank us for our kind sponsorship.

It is our pleasure to be supporting this worthwhile cause.

Job title: Research and Events Officer

Type: Full-time

The British Business Group Vietnam (BBGV) Business Centre is looking for a dynamic individual for the position of Research and Events Officer in Hanoi office.

Please click here for responsibilities and requirements for the post, and here for the full Job Specification.

If you are interested in the position, please send your CV and cover letter to recruitment@bbgv.org by 29 December 2014.

We regret to advise that we will only be contacting shortlisted candidates. Interviews will be held in Hanoi only. We expect the successful candidate to start work in February 2014.

About BBGV Business Centre (BC)
Vietnam is one of twenty (20) markets piloting a Business Centre, funded initially through a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) grant. The BBGV BC's mission is to assist UK SMEs seeking to do business in Vietnam. It aims to maximise their knowledge and expertise to explore real business opportunities by offering a range of well-designed, bespoke, and timely services such as market information, sector specific research and trade events management and services support.