Former German Vice Chancellor returns to work in Vietnam

By Phuong Dong March 15, 2019 | 03:27 am PT

Philipp Roesler’s main task will be to consult with and support domestic startups. Photo by Reuters/Michael Dalder

Philipp Roesler, former Vice Chancellor of Germany, has been elected as chairman of VinaCapital Ventures' advisory board.

VinaCapital Ventures, one of the largest investment and asset management firms in Vietnam, made this announcement Friday.

It said Philipp Roesler’s main task will be to consult with and support domestic startups so that they can connect with investors and bring products to international markets.

Don Lam, CEO and co-founder of VinaCapital, said he believed that the former German Vice Chancellor can contribute his extensive experience working in various government positions and private management environments.

"Philipp Roesler possesses advanced vision and experience in the fields of economics, technology, health, etc... Bringing him in to manage VinaCapital will be very beneficial to Vietnam," Lam said.

Philipp Roesler is a German of Vietnamese origin. He was born in Soc Trang Province in 1973 and adopted by a German couple at 9 months from a Christian orphange. Before entering politics, Roesler was a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Philipp Roesler was the youngest Chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) when he took office in May 2011. He was Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economics and Technology in Angela Merkel’s government until December 2013.