Ho Chi Minh City has decided to pilot the multi-storeyed workshop model in local industrial parks (IP), export processing zones (EPZ) and high-tech areas from 2015-18 with a total cost of 600 billion VND (28.2 million USD).

Initially, 3-8 storey workshop buildings with a total floor area of up to 40,000 square meters will be built in local IPs, EPZs and high-tech areas. The buildings are expected to host various types of firms – including small- and medium-sized enterprises – and support industry firms and those producing low-intensity products.

Specifically, Hiep Phuoc IP will construct five buildings with three stories each for a total floor area of 35,043 square meters, scheduled to be built in the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, Linh Trung EPZ will build a four-storey workshop providing space for seven small factories.

The initial construction will also include a six-storey building in the high-tech park, with a 500-1,000 square meter area on each floor.

According to Tat Thanh Cang, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, the model is expected to save land resources and maximise land-use efficiency, meeting the diverse demand of enterprises and attracting investors.

Furthermore, the support industry is expected to grow through satisfying enterprises’ need for production locations near big firms like Intel, Samsung and Datalogic, thus linking firms, he said.

The model is also hoped to create favourable conditions for foreign investors in need of small production establishments as they evaluate the domestic market and investment environment, said Cang, adding that small- and medium-sized enterprises with business not conducive to urban environments will also benefit from the plan.-VNA