On January 1, 2015, Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC) established its Vietnam Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, through its subsidiary Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal (Thailand) Co., Ltd. An opening ceremony was held at a local hotel on February 27.

The ceremony was attended by Japanese Consul General Satoshi Nakajima, those concerned with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Vietnamese government officials, and about 160 invited parties.

Among the ASEAN countries, Vietnam is a major country following Thailand in the Great Mekong Sub-region. Over the medium to long term, sustainable economic growth is projected along with the establishment of social capital. In terms of steel demand, it is also a promising growing market led by demand related to infrastructure and energy. With this new representative office, which collects information locally and serves as a contact for steel plate sales and technical service assistance, NSSMC intends to respond appropriately to growing needs in the Vietnamese market.