Response: Due Diligence on Hanoi's Nominee for the

UNCLAS HANOI 000767 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND EEB/EPPD NSMITH-NISSLEY USDOC FOR 4431/MAC/AP/OPB/VLC/HPPHO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON AMGT BEXP ECON ELAB ETRD KSEP SENV VM SUBJECT: Response: Due Diligence on Hanoi's Nominee for the Secretary of State's 2009 Award for Corporate Excellence REF: STATE 078538 " Request: Due Diligence on Nominees for the Secretary of State's 2009 Award for Corporate Excellence" ¶1. (SBU) Mission Vietnam is pleased to provide the additional information about Protec Helmet Company, nominee in the SME category, in response to REF: A) Post found no negative aspects or risk of U.S. embarrassment that could result from the potential selection of Protec, Post's nominee. B) There is no impact concerning job creation in the United States resulting from the operations of Protec. C) Protec's trade and investment activities do not have a significant impact on economic growth in the U.S. The synthetic materials for its helmets may originate in the U.S., but are sourced through regional vendors. The technical advisor based in San Diego provided the original designs for the helmets. D) Protec provides excellent labor conditions and benefits for its employees. The company has won awards from the GVN for its safe and healthy workplace. Protec also actively recruits, hires, and trains disabled and wheelchair-bound employees to work in its helmet production facility, modified for wheelchair accessibility, and provides its disabled workers with high-quality wheelchairs for use in the factory and at home. All Protec employees benefit from free meals, seven-hour workdays and health benefits. Protec's workers are unionized as required under Vietnam law. E) Post is not aware of any litigation pending in local courts involving the company. F) Post's Chief of Mission and others involved in the nominating process do not have any financial interest in the company. MICHALAK