Team size: Four

What are the most significant cases or transactions that you have been involved in over the past year?

Sustainability support to farmer via running an agronomy program in Gia Lai province: during the project time, Legal team played a crucial role in providing legal advice to unlock roadblocks and defined risk-calculated approaches with strategic business partners. Legal team has involved navigating complex regulatory requirements, drafting agreements, and advising on land acquisition and zoning laws to facilitate the smooth setup and update operations model of the in Agronomy Center in Gia Lai which serves as a hub for agricultural education and sustainable practices. MOUs and agreement have been successfully signed off by relevant parties. Legal expertise in contract law, negotiation skills and business acumen really help in paving the way for all collaborations and impactful activities that is enhancing agricultural sustainability in Vietnam. In Feb 24, an event has been organised in Bau Can, Gia Lai province, Vietnam with participation of representatives from Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), NGOs and other stakeholders working in agriculture business. The event was to celebrate success of the project for enhancing sustainable potato production.

A brief description of project’s impact: technological solutions in the sustainable potato production linkage model have brought outstanding results in the past two years. Specifically, the average potato yield reaches 23 – 26 tons/ha, three times higher than traditional farming, even the highest at 52 tons/ha (at the PLC model farm). Each year, the model saves more than 5 million cubic meters of water; farmers’ income increased nearly 3 times.

In addition, every year, the project implements safe production training for nearly 6,000 farmers, the potato growing area increases by an average of 20% annually, and the number of farmer households participating in the program increases by ten per cent per year. The capacity and role of women and minority farmers in the model have also been significantly improved.

PepsiCo and its partners in the value chain have applied a series of new technology solutions in potato production such as: pest management solution set helps reduce 2 spraying times/crop and therefore helps save two million VND/ha for farmers; using drones reduces the amount of water mixed with pesticides by more than ten times.

Greenfield in the North of Vietnam: in a span of ten months, the team has achieved significant milestones, surpassing the usual duties of an In-House legal team by successfully overseeing the Vietnam greenfield project worth approximately USD 89 MM, scheduled to launch in July 2025. During the project initiation phase, the team provided crucial legal guidance on various aspects such as land acquisition and drafting contracts with landlords for acquiring land valued at around US$ 7.2 MM. They also conducted thorough due diligence on property titles, environmental clearances, and zoning regulations. In terms of regulatory compliance, the team ensured adherence to all local regulations, obtaining necessary permits, licenses, and approvals for branch establishment, construction, and operations. They also maintained open communication with government bodies and regulatory authorities throughout the process. Ethics and compliance were key priorities for the team, as they closely monitored and enforced legal and ethical standards, including anti-corruption laws and corporate social responsibility commitments. The team provided training on compliance requirements to staff and contractors, emphasising the importance of ethical practices. Effective government relations were established by building and nurturing relationships with key government officials and agencies, facilitating smooth project execution. The team represented the project in discussions with government authorities on critical issues such as biomass setup and sourcing local potatoes. In the realm of corporate communications, the team oversaw the legal aspects of all communication related to the project, ensuring compliance with legal standards and mitigating any potential liabilities. They managed legal issues pertaining to media relations and crisis communications during the project execution. Additionally, the team handled the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts worth US$22m, supplier agreements, and service contracts with total value of US$ 60 MM. Lastly, team ensured completion of all legal formalities were fully completed before the groundbreaking and further coordinated with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the ceremony complies with relevant protocols such as event agenda and preparation works, security plan, communication plan and materials reviews.

Based on your experience, what is the key to collaborating successfully with business partners?

The key is to have a deep understanding of the business objectives while maintaining a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset. It’s crucial for the legal team to be seen as enablers rather than blockers. Regular cross-functional meetings, where we align legal perspectives with the goals of departments like marketing, R&D, and supply chain, have proven essential. Transparency and clear communication ensure that legal concerns are addressed early, enabling smoother collaboration. We focus on speaking the language of business and providing actionable insights rather than overwhelming our partners with legal jargon.

Which political, economic, or regulatory changes have impacted your work the most in the past year?

One significant change has been the increasing regulatory focus on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. With growing consumer demand for transparency in sourcing and environmental impact, regulatory bodies are tightening the requirements around packaging, ingredient sourcing, and carbon footprint disclosures. As a result, we’ve had to ensure that our supply chain and marketing claims are in compliance with both domestic and international regulations. Additionally, inflationary pressures and fluctuating trade policies have influenced contract negotiations, particularly in ingredient sourcing and distribution agreements.

Apart from legal matters, has the team worked on other company initiatives you would like to highlight?

Yes, the legal team has played an active role in our company’s sustainability initiatives. We’ve been instrumental in vetting partnerships with eco-friendly packaging suppliers and ensuring that our sustainability claims are compliant with regulations. Additionally, the team has supported initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by crafting company policies and ensuring we remain compliant with labor and equal opportunity laws. This involvement has been critical as we align our corporate values with broader societal expectations.