2016 M&A Forum to look at wider horizon The race is on for Vietnamese and foreign investors as the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are going to turn the 90-million strong country into a uniquely attractive market.   illustration photo -source:internet The AEC, as well as the free trade agreements that Vietnam signed, have been a strong motivation for capital flows into the country.  In 2015, the market witnessed 341 merger and acquisition (M&A) deals, at a combined value of $5.2 billion, according to a recent report released by market research company Stoxplus. Foreign investors were involved in 98 deals, accounting for 46 per cent of the total value. Real estate was the most attractive for foreign companies, seeing 20 transactions worth nearly $1.64 billion. In this context, the 2016 Vietnam M&A Forum, with the theme “M&A in Wider Economic Boundaries”, is going to be a platform for CEOs, investors, and foreign experts to exchange experiences, widen their professional networks, and shape new M&A deals that are going to help them take advantage of the opportunities presented by Vietnam’s deepening economic integration. Now in its seventh year, Vietnam’s biggest annual forum on M&A and strategic investment, is going to welcome top leaders and experts from large foreign and domestic corporations and investment funds, government policymakers, leaders from leading state-owned enterprises and from consulting firms in the region to shed light on the past, examine the present, and shape the future of M&A. Co-organised by Vietnam Investment Review and AVM Vietnam since 2009, under the patronage of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the forum is going to include a specialised seminar on M&A activities in Vietnam, a networking programme, a deal awards ceremony, the issuance of the Vietnam M&A Outlook 2016 Publication, and a master-class of “Fund raising for M&A deals.” Vietnam M&A Forum 2016: M&A in Wider Economic Boundaries is slated to take place on Thursday, August 18, 2016 in Ho Chi Minh City. By Hong Anh, VIR