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Marco Förster
Asia FDI Consultant at Dezan Shira
Marco Förster is the ASEAN Director at Dezan Shira & Associates, a professional services firm specializing in foreign direct investment (FDI) advisory across Asia. He is based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where he oversees the firm's operations and strategic initiatives in Southeast Asia. His role involves advising corporate investors on expansion strategies and ensuring compliance with local regulations.12
Educational Background
- Bachelor's Degree: Economics from Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics.
- Postgraduate Diploma: Digital Business from Columbia Business School.
- Master's Degree: Global Trade from RMIT University, completed in 2023 as a Hinrich Foundation Scholar.12
Professional Experience
- Dezan Shira & Associates: Joined in 2018 as an International Business Advisor in Beijing before relocating to Vietnam. He has held various roles within the firm, focusing on helping international companies navigate the complexities of doing business in Asia.23
- Chairman of the SME Forum: Elected to lead this forum within the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, where he advocated for European SMEs and facilitated their market entry into China.14
- Consulting Roles: Prior to joining Dezan Shira, Marco gained experience at several advisory firms in Germany and Asia, enhancing his understanding of cross-regional business dynamics.24
Personal Insights
Marco Förster is of mixed heritage, being half Vietnamese and half German. This background has fostered a deep connection to Vietnam, which he views as a rapidly growing economic hub. He speaks multiple languages fluently, including German, English, Mandarin, and Vietnamese.24 His personal journey reflects a strong commitment to bridging cultural and economic gaps between Asia and Europe through effective business practices and advocacy.13
Highlights
What's too much state support? Amid discussions on open competition and China's market access and free trade gospel, the European Commission initiated an investigation into Chinese wind-turbine manufacturers for potential subsidies.
EU Competition Commissioner Vestager, stated that companies involved in wind park investments across five EU countries, including Spain and France, might have benefited from subsidies provided by the Chinese government.
There's apprehension among officials that China's injection of funds into manufacturing firms aims to counterbalance a decline in domestic demand, thus posing a threat to European manufacturers by undercutting them.
All the talk late last year was about Xi's visit to Hanoi, shortly after the US was elevated to become Vietnam's Comprehensive Strategic Partner, a diplomatic status first granted to China in 2008.
This made Vietnam the only country in 2023 visited by both Biden and Xi.
And then, just this month, Australia became the newest member of Vietnam's "BFF Club."
As everyone seeks to benefit from the country's unique supply chain prowess, some questions remain: Who will be next, and what developments can be anticipated?"
