About
Photo Courtesy of the APEC Secretariat, www.apec.org
Executive Training
Photo Courtesy of the APEC Secretariat, www.apec.org
Executive Training
Strengthening regional economic integration and prosperity across Asia and the Pacific is the Centre’s driving purpose.
We have an enviable record in designing and delivering tailored training programs and capacity building programs for government,
business, not-for-profits and academic institutions.
Strengthening regional economic integration and prosperity across Asia and the Pacific is the Centre’s driving purpose.
We have an enviable record in designing and delivering tailored training programs and capacity building programs for government,
business, not-for-profits and academic institutions.
Photo Courtesy of the APEC Secretariat, www.apec.org
Executive Training
Strengthening regional economic integration and prosperity across Asia and the Pacific is the Centre’s driving purpose.
We have an enviable record in designing and delivering tailored training programs and capacity building programs for government,
business, not-for-profits and academic institutions.
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Vietnam
Phan Kim Nguyet Ha
Business Name: UPGREEN Vietnam
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Business Website: https://xanhlenvn.com​
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About me:
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I am an industrial designer, lecturer, and PhD Candidate in Design and Social Context at RMIT University with over 15 years of experience integrating art, technology, and sustainability. Driven by a mission to give waste a voice, I founded UPGREEN Vietnam to transform low-value plastic waste into high-value cultural assets. My work uniquely bridges the gap between the modern circular economy and traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship such as lacquerware, to create products that carry both environmental and historical significance. UPGREEN is a "fabless studio" providing comprehensive circular solutions, from waste collection and recycling to high-end design and ESG reporting. We collect plastic waste from corporate partners and regenerate it into sophisticated furniture and corporate gifts that serve as green ambassadors for brands.
Our proprietary material serves as a modern canvas for ancient art. We upcycle heritage by collaborating with traditional craft villages to apply delicate lacquer or shell-inlay techniques directly onto recycled surfaces. This East-meets-West approach creates a powerful narrative: a single corporate gift can tell the story of a 1,000-year-old tradition being preserved through 21st-century environmental action, effectively turning trash into treasure. Through the APEC Women’s Business Activator, I aim to refine strategies to export "Sustainable Vietnamese Design" to the Asia-Pacific region, proving that recycled products can be premium, high-aesthetic, and culturally rich. I seek partners to help integrate traditional craft villages into global green supply chains, providing sustainable livelihoods for local artisans while promoting circularity. Additionally, I hope to gain insights into impact investment to build a larger scale "Recycling Park" that combines advanced manufacturing with cultural and educational exhibitions.
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Phuong Thao Nguyen
Business Name: Nguyen Khoi Green Joint Stock Company
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Business Website: www.nguyenkhoifarm.com​
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About me:
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I am the founder of Nguyên Khôi, a women-led premium pork company in Vietnam built on the philosophy “Choose Happiness.”
My journey began with a simple but powerful belief: food carries energy. If animals are raised with respect, if farming protects the environment, and if businesses act with integrity, that energy reaches people through what they eat.
In an industry traditionally driven by scale and price, we chose to build differently. We are focusing on animal welfare, sustainability, and long-term value creation. I believe Vietnam has the potential to move beyond commodity agriculture and become a producer of premium, responsible food brands. My role as a founder is not only to build a company, but to contribute to raising standards within our industry.
About my business
Nguyên Khôi was created to redefine pork from a low-margin commodity into a high-value, ethical food category. We focus on value-added pork products for premium B2B clients, including high-end restaurants, chefs, and hospitality partners. Our production model emphasises animal welfare standards, responsible farming practices, and a net-zero oriented mindset.
An important part of our story is that we do not separate business growth from ethical responsibility. “Choose Happiness” is not a marketing slogan. It guides our decisions across farming, operations, and partnerships. By building a brand rooted in both culinary excellence and production ethics, we aim to demonstrate that Vietnamese agriculture can evolve toward sustainability and global competitiveness.
My expectations of the program
By joining the APEC Women’s Business Activator Program, I hope to strengthen Nguyên Khôi’s export readiness in a structured and strategic way. Specifically, I aim to:
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Deepen my understanding of international market-entry pathways
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Strengthen financial and operational planning for cross-border growth
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Build leadership capability to scale responsibly
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Connect with a network of women entrepreneurs who are also building purpose-driven businesses
Beyond expanding my own company, I see this program as an opportunity to represent a new model of women-led agricultural entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia which is the one that integrates sustainability, resilience, and long-term value creation.
Thi Hong Nhan Nguyen
Tran Thi Thu Hoai
Business Name: Palmania Joint Stock Company
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Business Website: https://palmania.net
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About me:
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My name is Hoai Tran, COO and Co-founder of Palmania. Founded in 2017 in the Bay Nui area of An Giang, Vietnam, Palmania was born from a desire to preserve an almost-forgotten traditional craft of producing palmyra nectar among indigenous Khmer people. Working closely with local farmers, we transform flower nectar of wild palmyra trees into clean, delicious and functional ingredients that respect both nature and people, while creating sustainable livelihoods in rural communities.
We are Vietnam’s first and only producer of certified organic palmyra nectar, holding USDA, EU, and Canada organic certifications. While palmyra nectar remains largely untested globally, Palmania is among the very few brands worldwide with GI-tested palmyra nectar products, offering certified low-glycemic alternatives for health-conscious consumers. We are also proud to have developed the world’s first palmyra umami sauce, bringing innovation to a largely untapped ingredient.
Through the APEC Women’s Business Activator program, I aim to strengthen our export readiness, cultivate strategic international partnerships, understand more about Australian market as well as explore opportunities to introduce Palmania to the Australian market.