WANT - WANT Group executives answer questions from the media at the inauguration event in HCM City on Wednesday. — VNS Photo

WANT - WANT Group, the largest rice cracker maker in Taiwan and mainland China, has come to Viet Nam.

Its range of rice crackers, frozen ice cream and beverages are now available at convenience stores and supermarkets.

At the launch in HCM City on December 12, Chen Han Hua, general director of WANT - WANT Vietnam, said the company is building a production facility in Long Giang Industrial Park in Tien Giang Province.

Once completed in 2021 it will produce and estimated US$260 million worth of products annually, enabling Viet Nam to become the companys strategic hub for Southeast Asia, he said.

Group executive director Kevin Tsai said: “Setting up this new manufacturing plant will be a historic milestone for us. I am optimistic about our future growth in Viet Nam, where we have seen the enthusiasm of the local government and people who helped us build a strong network. We will ... work with the right partners to innovate and develop products to suit tastes and consumption habits in Southeast Asia.”

Everett Chu, chief financial officer of WANT - WANT GROUP, said Viet Nams steady growth, large population and open foreign investment policy were among the reasons that brought his company to it rather than other countries in Southeast Asia.

The company hopes that the “ultimate recipe” behind its rice crackers will “win the hearts” of Vietnamese consumers, he said.

Besides rice crackers, its frozen ice creams and beverages are also likely to attract people because of the tropical weather, he added.

Chen said, “I am excited about sharing our experience and Taiwanese taste and tradition with Viet Nam.

“I am sure there will be a lot for us to learn from Vietnamese and Southeast Asian consumers as we strive to bring safe and delicious snacks.”

WANT - WANT is a highly successful Taiwanese food and beverage brand which has over the last 57 years entered 59 countries on six continents and employs over 50,000 people world-wide. — VNS