Masan allowed to invest $105 mln in Singapore’s Trust IQ

By Thuy Nguyen
Fri, February 10, 2023 | 2:54 pm GMT+7

Vietnamese conglomerate Masan Group’s subsidiary The Sherpa on Friday received an offshore investment registration certificate to place $105 million in Singapore-based tech firm Trust IQ Pte. Ltd.

The certificate was awarded to Masan at the Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh who is on a three-day visit to the city-state.

Front line - Masan Group CEO Danny Le (left) receives the group’s offshore investment registration certificate from Vietnam’s Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung in Singapore on February 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of Masan.

Front line - Masan Group CEO Danny Le (left) receives the group’s offshore investment registration certificate from Vietnam’s Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung in Singapore on February 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of Masan.

This investment, equal to up to 9.4 million shares of Trust IQ, is part of Masan’s strategic goal by 2025 to create a consumer-retail-technology ecosystem capable of capturing 80% of Vietnamese consumers’ wallets.

Toward the goal, Masan has been gradually optimizing the ecosystem by integrating strategic pieces like financial services, banking, insurance, healthcare, and entertainment into a wide network of points of sale and digital technology and artificial intelligence platform.

Trust IQ operates primarily in software development, technology and applications on a global scale, which includes the development of comprehensive, accurate credit risk assessment methods based on AI technology and computer science.

The investment will accelerate Masan’s application of artificial intelligence in retail, and artificial intelligence in consumption.

The two sides will work together to build a platform in the two areas. They will develop AI and machine learning technologies into the consumer sector, integrating offline to online contributing to an optimal offline-to-offline experience and reducing consumption costs.

They will also build a credit access platform for consumers on the basis of a loyalty program by issuing credit cards for mass consumers without requiring proof of income. Masan’s WinCommerce - operator of the WinMart/WinMart+/WIN retail chain - with a high-tech platform from Trust IQ will cooperate with domestic financial partners to drive new credit card usage.

Founded in 1996 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s economic powerhouse, Masan is among the top three largest private sector companies in Vietnam in terms of market capitalization.

The group’s member companies and associates are industry leaders in branded fast-moving consumer goods, branded meat, modern retail, food and beverage retail, financial services, telecommunications, and value-add chemical processing.

Comments ( 0)
  • Read More
Coteccons dismisses concerns over executive departure, competition from Vingroup's arm

Coteccons dismisses concerns over executive departure, competition from Vingroup's arm

Vietnam's leading contractor Coteccons (HoSE: CTD) said a recent change in senior management was unrelated to the company's share price performance, as executives highlighted record order backlog and accelerating earnings growth amid a recovery in Vietnam's construction industry.

Companies - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 5:26 pm GMT+7

VinaCapital lists 2 strategic ETFs as Vietnam fund market broadens

VinaCapital lists 2 strategic ETFs as Vietnam fund market broadens

Vietnam’s leading investment management firm VinaCapital has listed two strategic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, expanding investment options for investors seeking targeted exposure to Vietnam's long-term economic growth themes.

Finance - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 4:39 pm GMT+7

Oil & gas industry gives Vietnam edge in offshore wind supply chain: Global Wind Energy Council CEO

Oil & gas industry gives Vietnam edge in offshore wind supply chain: Global Wind Energy Council CEO

Vietnam is well positioned to play a significant role in the offshore wind power supply chain thanks to its established manufacturing base and expertise developed through its oil & gas industry and existing wind power projects, according to Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

Energy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 4:31 pm GMT+7

Vietnam banking, retail, oil stocks well placed for market recovery: brokerages

Vietnam banking, retail, oil stocks well placed for market recovery: brokerages

Vietnamese banking, retail and oil-gas stocks are among the sectors best positioned to benefit from a potential market recovery after months of pressure from geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic headwinds, according to local brokerages.

Finance - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 1:04 pm GMT+7

Petrovietnam, Huawei discuss cooperation in digital transformation, AI, energy technologies

Petrovietnam, Huawei discuss cooperation in digital transformation, AI, energy technologies

State-owned Petrovietnam and China's Huawei Technologies discussed potential cooperation in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and digital energy infrastructure during a meeting last week, as the Vietnamese giant seeks to modernize its operations and expand into new energy sectors.

Companies - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 12:20 pm GMT+7

Over 38% of Vietnamese businesses still face informal costs despite reforms: survey

Over 38% of Vietnamese businesses still face informal costs despite reforms: survey

More than 38% of businesses in Vietnam still pay informal charges, highlighting persistent gaps between regulatory reforms and their implementation, according to a survey by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Economy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 11:26 am GMT+7

China ready to expand railway, power connectivity with Vietnam: PM

China ready to expand railway, power connectivity with Vietnam: PM

China is prepared to strengthen railway cooperation and enhance power grid connectivity with Vietnam, thereby expanding logistics corridors, trade links, and energy cooperation, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a phone talk with his Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung on Monday.

Economy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 8:52 am GMT+7

VN-Index approaches 1,800-point mark as easing Middle East tensions lift sentiment

VN-Index approaches 1,800-point mark as easing Middle East tensions lift sentiment

Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index edged closer to the 1,800-point threshold on Monday as improving sentiment over easing tensions in the Middle East boosted risk appetite, driving gains in brokerage stocks while oil and Vingroup-related stocks weighed on the market.

Finance - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 8:34 pm GMT+7

Japanese products dominate Vietnamese consumer trust, but younger shoppers rewriting rules

Japanese products dominate Vietnamese consumer trust, but younger shoppers rewriting rules

Japanese products continue to enjoy the highest level of trust among Vietnamese consumers, reinforcing the country’s position as the benchmark for quality and reliability in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing consumer markets, according to a new survey by market research firm Q&Me.

Economy - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 6:48 pm GMT+7

VinEnergo ramps up renewable energy push with 4 new subsidiaries

VinEnergo ramps up renewable energy push with 4 new subsidiaries

VinEnergo, the energy arm of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, has accelerated its expansion into the power sector, establishing four new subsidiaries within a week as it builds a growing portfolio of renewable energy and infrastructure projects across Vietnam.

Companies - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 4:52 pm GMT+7

Thaco deepens ties with Hyundai Rotem to localize railway manufacturing in Vietnam

Thaco deepens ties with Hyundai Rotem to localize railway manufacturing in Vietnam

Vietnamese conglomerate Thaco and South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem have signed a detailed technology transfer and localization agreement for railway rolling stock production.

Industries - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 4:01 pm GMT+7

UOB Vietnam appoints Pham Hong Hai as deputy country CEO

UOB Vietnam appoints Pham Hong Hai as deputy country CEO

Singapore's United Overseas Bank (Vietnam) Limited on Monday appointed Pham Hong Hai, former CEO of HSBC Vietnam and later Vietnamese bank OCB, as deputy country CEO, effective immediately.

Banking - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 2:26 pm GMT+7

Shinhan Bank Vietnam launches AI translation desk, strengthening customer experience, digital innovation 

Shinhan Bank Vietnam launches AI translation desk, strengthening customer experience, digital innovation 

Shinhan Bank Vietnam has officially launched AI Translation Desk, an AI-powered interpretation solution designed to help foreign customers communicate more easily while using banking services in Vietnam.

Banking - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 12:03 pm GMT+7

FDI listings a missing piece in Vietnam's stock market development

FDI listings a missing piece in Vietnam's stock market development

As Vietnam's stock market moves closer to its long-awaited upgrade to secondary emerging market status and seeks to attract higher-quality capital, allowing more foreign-invested companies to list on domestic exchanges could broaden the pool of investable assets and support the next phase of capital market development.

Finance - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 11:14 am GMT+7

Chinese robot 'eyes' manufacturer builds 10-hectare factory in northern Vietnam

Chinese robot 'eyes' manufacturer builds 10-hectare factory in northern Vietnam

Orbbec Inc., a Chinese company specializing in 3D vision sensors and robotic hardware, is building an over-10-hectare manufacturing center in the northern province of Bac Ninh to serve international markets.

Industries - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Long Thanh airport project faces shortage of 2,000 workers

Long Thanh airport project faces shortage of 2,000 workers

The Long Thanh International Airport project in the southern province of Dong Nai is still short nearly 2,000 workers compared to actual requirements during its final acceleration phase.

Infrastructure - Sun, June 14, 2026 | 6:08 pm GMT+7