Sojitz, a sogo shosha based in Tokyo, acquired a minority stake in PAN Group JSC, a major food firm listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, for VND817.4bn. By underwriting a capital increase in PAN, Sojitz will share its Japanese technological expertise and customer network as a general trading company, adding to PAN’s existing customer base and local networks. In the process, both companies will work to maximize their synergy in Vietnam to create new businesses such as those dealing with farming management and food processing, as well as aim to expand their aquaculture and marine product processing businesses further.