Keppel effectively collaborates with local partners

As a global real estate operator headquartered in Singapore, Keppel has been active for over 30 years and has established Vietnam as one of its key markets. Currently, Keppel is developing 25 projects in Vietnam with an estimated investment of $3.8 billion, including major projects such as Saigon Centre, Celesta Rise, and Riviera Point.

"We are committed to continuing to develop and deliver projects with the highest quality. At the same time, we are constantly innovating to implement sustainable real estate projects, reaffirming our long-term commitment to Vietnam," said Seng. “Keppel is also expanding its strategy into the northern region, with a new project in the centre of Hanoi.”

In the merger and acquisition (M&A) market, Keppel has established effective partnerships with local partners. “I expect 2025 to see a significant increase in M&A activity, especially with new investment opportunities in the real estate sector.”

"Amid global trend changes, Keppel is expanding its investment into diverse real estate sectors such as residential, hospitality, and emerging models like senior living and data centres. The company is also closely connected with global businesses to track and seize market trends, while observing that international funds are increasingly focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria," said Seng.

"With its strong-growing economy and golden population, Vietnam is a promising destination for many international investment funds," he added.

Keppel representatives believe that the combination of international investment capital and local market expertise will lead to significant success. Moving into 2025, with new policies, Keppel expects macroeconomic changes to be translated into concrete actions, contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam's real estate sector.

With more than 30 years of experience in the Vietnamese market, Keppel is always on the lookout for valuable assets and strives to increase their value. However, finding potential assets is not easy and requires a great deal of time and effort. This is a major challenge in the context of an increasingly competitive market.

According to Seng, for new investors entering the market, M&As are one of the most effective pathways. “Through M&As, investors have the opportunity to access potential partners, both buyers and sellers, while discovering high-value assets for long-term development or investment.”

Keppel also shared that in the coming years, as policies and regulations become more stringent, the market will witness the emergence of many new projects with a high level of compliance. This will be an important factor supporting M&A activities.

"We are particularly excited about the positive changes in the investment environment in Vietnam. These improvements not only boost the confidence of foreign investors but also open up many growth opportunities for both traditional and new industries," he emphasised.

The Singaporean-headquartered Keppel, a global asset manager and operator, has reached an agreement in principle with KDI Holdings to provide Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solutions to Libera Nha Trang, a mixed-use development in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province.

Singapore's Keppel on September 30 announced that it was in the process of divesting from Saigon Sports City and Saigon Centre, two major real estate projects located in Ho Chi Minh City.

The 2024 Vietnam M&A Forum, themed 'A Blossoming Market', is taking place at JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City on November 27.

As Vietnam sets a high target for economic growth in 2024, mergers and acquisitions are projected to rebound on the back of growing foreign interest.