Major names in the Japanese consumer products, services, finance, and construction sectors are anticipating meeting their qualified Vietnamese partners at the conference about the M&A (merger and acquisition) environment in Vietnam to be held next month.

The conference, titled “M&A tai VN- suc hut tu thi truong Nhat” (M&A in Vietnam – Attracting Investors from Japan), will be held on November 12 in Tokyo.

It will be co-hosted by Tuoi Tre Newspaper and its Japanese counterpart Mainichi, and supported by the Iwakaze Capital Inc and BWLaws.

The event has captured the attention of many Japanese businesses operating in the restaurant and dining industries, which have signed up for participation to seek Vietnamese partners at the event, according to Mainichi and Iwakaze.

They include the Sagami Chain, Matsuya Food, and Calbee Foods Co.

Sagami Chain, the Japan’s leading franchised noodle restaurant, wanted to find a partner in order to set up a restaurant in Vietnam, its representative said.

More than 100 Japanese investors have registered to attend the event so far. These businesses operate in a wide range of sectors. They include J&K Logistics (logistics), TokyoRope (steelmaking), and Mitsui Fudosan, Toyo Construction, and Tokyo Metro (real-estate).

Meanwhile, other Japanese businesses, including Nihon Keiei, Careerlink, and Kousaido, are keen on the human resource management sector in Vietnam. Previously, Intage and en-japan Recruit Global Incubator Partners (RGIP), two recruitment companies, have entered Vietnam via M&A deals.

The Bank of Hyakugo Ltd and Shinsei Financial have also signed up for the event in order to seek Vietnamese financial partners and expand their market.

Anticipation for the event can be felt not only from the Japanese firms but also their Vietnamese counterparts.

Many Vietnamese businesses said they will take advantage of the ability and capital from foreign partners to boost their corporate restructuring process.

Nguyen Van Tu, CEO of the Dai Duong Co, said he wishes to seek a Japanese partner to join in a project to build a resort for the elderly in the coastal city of Vung Tau.

What he needs from the partner is not only strong financial muscle but also experience in resort management and operation.

The project is expected to consume $20 million worth of investment and the partner should cover half the sum.

“Partnering with international investors is essential when it comes to restructuring businesses and expanding markets,” said Thai Tuan Chi, chairman of Thai Tuan Co.

Chi used to reject M&A offers but has recently changed his mind, he said.