Experts from the construction and machinery industries have recommended that only specialised groups should be allowed to operate in an effort to increase their competitive edge.

The recommendation was raised at a workshop in Hanoi on August 7, which led to a proposal to establish two groups by the Vietnam Energy Association and the Vietnam Engineering Business Association. One group is to deal with industrial, civil and real estate development and the other is for engineering and manufacturing.

Their views were shared by President of the Construction Contractors Association Vu Khoa. He said that there should be a concrete plan to set up specialised conglomerates, with the test-run of the Song Da and Machinery Assembly groups.

These two groups promise a profitable future as they are based on two strong corporations with famous trademarks, said Khoa.

“The most important factor is whether the group is able to work out a development strategy which is competitve and profitable,” they said.

The Ministry of Construction is awaiting the Government’s approval of its pilot project to establish the Vietnam Construction Industry Group and the Vietnam Housing and Urban Development Group.

The country now boasts eight State-run industrial groups, namely the Vietnam Oil and Gas (PetroVietnam), Vietnam Shipping Industry (Vinashin), Vietnam Post and Telecommunications, Coal and Minerals, Vietnam Insurance Bao Viet, Garments and Textiles and the Rubber Industry./.