Exclusive Interview with
SCVN Deputy General Director and Infrastructure & Transportation Business Group GM Mr Khanh Bui Duc
“Think positive.”
Mr Khanh Bui Duc
SCVN’s Deputy General Director
Infrastructure & Transportation Business Group GM
Sumitomo Corporation Vietnam LLC
Vietnam is now one of the most dynamic emerging markets in Asia and infrastructure is crucial for its economic growth. As SCVN’s Deputy General Director and GM of Infrastructure & Transportation Business Group, how are you seizing opportunities in Vietnam?
In recent years, Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia with a population of about 100 million. Hence the infrastructure sector is always the top priority of our country’s development. Since its establishment in Vietnam, SCVN has been participating intensively as EPC contractor, Investor and Operator in many key infrastructure projects nationwide such as industrial parks, power plants, urban railway, logistics etc. I strongly believe that those infrastructure projects carried out by Sumitomo have been making significant contributions to Vietnam’s economy.
More business opportunities will come to the infrastructure sector in the near future, especially emerging, new and promising infrastructure fields such as smart city, seaport and airport operation, offshore wind, circular economies and new mobility business. Thus, promotion of these new businesses is now taking place intensively within the Infrastructure and Transportation Group of SCVN.
I envision to build SCVN into a major and sustainable company by seizing and realising the various new business opportunities.
What are your thoughts on establishing local partnership? How has it contributed to your business success?
When doing business in Vietnam, I am always focusing on finding and developing business relations with local partners, especially with local conglomerates. The more we build mutual trust and confidence between Sumitomo and our local partners, the more we can promote and realise new businesses and investment projects here.
Like Vietnam, I think local partnership is also important in other Asian countries. Therefore, other regional offices under SCAO group may find it helpful to cooperate with local conglomerates working in various fields like Sumitomo. This is because when we work with a local conglomerate engaged in diversified business fields, we can more easily find common points of mutual interests. This enables us to connect with different SBUs in SC Tokyo, and invite them to come over and promote more businesses with us together.
If you could choose an age to remain forever, what age would you choose and why?
Your motto in life is “Think Positive”. Tell us more about it!
If I could choose an age to remain forever, I would like to stay at 30 years old, because I believe it could be the best time of my life. It was easy to have a good balance of work and life together with my colleagues, family and friends. In addition, I could enjoy various lovely food without worrying much about health impacts. What I had most often at that time was drinking local beer with delicious street foods. I love going around and wish to see more of the world around me if I could go back then.
As for my motto, I want to think positive even when I face big hurdles and difficulties at work and in life. Thinking positive helps me to throw out unnecessary worries and concerns from my mind to focus on the specific set of targets. Even if I were to fail in the end, it would be a good lesson for me to try again next time.
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SNAPSHOT
I strongly believe in… the bright future of Sumitomo Corporation Vietnam
I spend most of my time.. studying about functional-food herbal medicine and its health impacts (yin-yang balance) when I’m free
The food I crave most often is… seafood
One personal rule that I never break is… to keep my promises
The thing that cheers me up whenever I think about is… to enjoy swimming in open sea in front of a beautiful beach resort
One thing I really want but can’t afford yet is… to drive a car by myself along the national highway No.1 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city of Vietnam to visit many scenic spots and enjoy various specialty food
If I could go back in time, I would… spend more time chatting with my friends
If I have enough money to live comfortably without having to work, I would… love to visit many interesting places around the world
