The northern province of Hai Duong has so far this year granted licences to nine foreign investment projects with a combined capital of 248 million USD, and allowed six on-going ones to add 71.4 million USD to their capital.

Nguyen Danh Tu, an official from the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, further said this marks an increase of 116 percent over the figure the same period last year.

The new projects are mainly in producing moulds, electronic components, garment and health care, with the 225-million-USD Vietnam - Canada international hospital being the most noteworthy.

Hai Duong aims to attract another 450 million USD of foreign investment from now to the end of this year, with 300 million from new projects and 150 million from existing ones.

To this end, the province will accelerate its investment promotion with major groups and trans-national corporations, along with removing red tape.

Currently Hai Duong counts 264 foreign investment projects from 23 countries and territories with a combined capital of over 6.15 billion USD. The projects provide jobs for more than 130,000 workers and thousands of labourers.-VNA