The southern province of Binh Duong attracted 300 million USD of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first 20 days of this year alone, three times higher than that of the same period last year.

According to Le Thanh Cung, Chairman of the Binh Duong People’s Committee, the province is on the right track to fulfilling its target of luring 1 billion USD of FDI for the whole year.

Notably, the Kraft Vina paper company added 150 million USD to broaden its business in 2014. Its first 180 million USD paper factory was put into operation in 2010.

Cung said the province has established a new industrial park with a total area of 300 hectares as an effort to stand ready for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) which is expected to be signed this year.

It has also approved the planning of the construction of 15 others, raising the total number of industrial parks to 33 by 2020 from 28 currently, he said.

Considering FDI as a major source for industrial development, Binh Duong has focused on bettering partnership with foreign investors by supporting them in solving all obstacles and creating good conditions for them in implementing their projects, said Cung.

The official added that the locality has also paid much attention to stepping up administrative reforms, while developing infrastructure system and human resources to attract more FDI.

Despite economic difficulties in 2013, Binh Duong lured over 1.3 billion USD in FDI, including 800 million USD poured in 125 newly-licenced projects.

To date, the province has hosted 2,209 FDI projects with a total investment of 18.72 billion USD, mainly in industrial production, trade, services, urban development, high-tech, electronics, accessories and auto spare parts.-VNA