Vinamilk CEO honored by Nikkei

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of May 20, 2015, in Tokyo, Japan, a ceremony was held to honor 3 individuals and organizations receiving the 20th Nikkei Asia Prize. Ms. Mai Kieu Lien - Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company - Vinamilk is the only Vietnamese person to win the prize in the field of "Economics and Business Innovation"...

Within the framework of the honor program organized by Nikkei in Japan, Ms. Mai Kieu Lien also participated in an international seminar with the theme “Asia’s Prospects” held on May 21, 2015 with scholars, politicians, and famous businessmen from countries in the region. Japanese Prime Minister - Mr. Shinzo Abe was also present to welcome and talk with Ms. Mai Kieu Lien and 2 individuals and organizations receiving awards at a reception in the evening of the same day.

Ms. Mai Kieu Lien (middle) receives the Nikkei award.

The entire Nikkei award to Ms. Mai Kieu Lien worth 3 million yen (equivalent to about 500 million VND) was donated by Ms. Mai Kieu Lien to Nepalese children who are suffering from the historic earthquake disaster through the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF in Japan right after the ceremony.

The Nikkei Asia Prize is awarded annually in three areas: Economics - Science - Culture to recognize individuals and organizations (outside Japan) who have made significant contributions to the sustainable development of the region to build a more prosperous Asia.

The Nikkei Group introduced the award in 1996 – on the occasion of its 120th anniversary. The Nikkei Group is also the publisher of Japan’s leading economic newspaper – The Nikkei and also operates online news services in Japanese, English and Chinese, and compiles and publishes publications on the Nikkei stock index – the most popular stock index in Japan today.

Ms. Mai Kieu Lien is the only person from Vietnam and Asia to be honored this time in the field of: Economics and business innovation. Nikkei magazine commented: “Ms. Mai Kieu Lien is a pioneer in the dairy products market in Vietnam, a highly respected businesswoman in Asia. Vinamilk has brought to Vietnamese consumers the need for healthy nutritional products. Currently, the company is also investing in international development.”

At the Nikkei Asia Awards Ceremony, Ms. Mai Kieu Lien said: “I was really surprised and moved when Nikkei announced that I was one of three Asians to receive this prestigious award. This is truly a great honor not only for me but also for the collective of more than 5,000 Vinamilk employees who have made continuous efforts to contribute to the development of Vietnam in particular and Asia in general.

That dedication has been recognized by Nikkei and the international community. This will be a great motivation for me and Vinamilk to be more determined in carrying out the mission of becoming the number 1 symbol of trust in Vietnam for nutritional and health products serving human life..."

Born in France and studying engineering in Russia, Ms. Mai Kieu Lien returned and has been associated with Vinamilk since its early days, the predecessor of the Southern Coffee - Milk Company in 1976. From her initial job as an engineer, Ms. Mai Kieu Lien's talent has been affirmed by being promoted to management positions and being entrusted with the position of General Director of Vinamilk from 1992 to present. In 2003, when Vinamilk was equitized, she concurrently held the position of Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. Through many years of work and leadership, Ms. Mai Kieu Lien has made many great contributions to help Vinamilk become one of the leading domestic brands and gain a position in the international market. At the same time, Vinamilk is also a pioneer in meeting the milk needs of Vietnamese people and developing raw materials for the Vietnamese dairy industry.

Ms. Mai Kieu Lien checks products at the newly put into operation Vinamilk Milk Factory.

In the production strategy, Ms. Mai Kieu Lien always aims for Vinamilk to find new products that are beneficial to consumers' health in order to dominate the market. More than 90% of the new products launched by the company each year are developed based on her ideas. And in fact, under her leadership, Vinamilk is one of the most successful equitized state-owned enterprises in Vietnam with the second largest market capitalization, about 5 billion USD equivalent to more than 100,000 billion VND, Vinamilk's revenue in 2014 reached nearly 36,000 billion VND, net profit over 6,000 billion VND.

In the first quarter of 2015, Vinamilk's production and business situation recorded positive signs when Vinamilk's net revenue reached 8,075 billion VND, up 15.6% compared to the same period in 2014. Output increased by 13% and product prices did not increase. The export market also recovered with an increase of up to 70%. In 2015, VNM planned consolidated revenue of 39,077 billion VND, up 9.4% compared to 2014. Profit after tax was 6,830 billion VND, up 12.6%.

After nearly 40 years of dedication and more than 20 years as General Director of Vinamilk, what Ms. Mai Kieu Lien has done for Vinamilk and the Vietnamese dairy industry has made many people respect her, likening her to a "captain" who always holds a steady hand at the helm to bring Vinamilk to the success it has today, like a simple "female general" of the dairy industry, always carrying within her ambitions and strategies for a "white revolution" in Vietnam.

Hoang Hao