Vietcetera
In this interview, Kow Juan Tiang, Executive Director for Southeast Asia at Enterprise Singapore, talks about the economic trends post-pandemic, the role of technology in SEA’s future, sustainable growth initiatives, and the unique opportunities and challenges for businesses in the region. We’re unraveling the collaborative efforts between Vietnam and Singapore, their joint strides toward sustainability, and the exceptional business prospects on the horizon.
In Vietnam, we have witnessed successful partnerships between Singapore and Vietnamese companies following the launch of our Vietnam GIA Acceleration Programme in 2019, in collaboration with Quest Ventures. Sixty-three Singapore-based startups participated in eight cohorts of the Vietnam GIA Acceleration Programme from 2020 to 2023. Since then, 18 Singapore startups have either established a presence in Vietnam or formed collaborations with in-market partners. One notable example is myFirst, a company that develops technology gadgets for children, including wireless earbuds, headphones, smartwatch phones, instant print cameras, and drawing tablets. These products aim to revolutionize how children learn and play through the safe use of technology. After myFirst participated in the sixth cohort of the Vietnam GIA Acceleration Programme, it has established its business in Hanoi and is selling its products in the market through two Vietnamese distributors.
