The central province of Nghe An licensed 45 investment projects totalling 39 trillion VND (more than 2 billion USD in the first seven months of this year, doubling its target set for the year, the provincial Department of Planning and Investment said.

Of the total, 40 were domestic invested projects with the combined capital of 20 billion VND (more than 1 billion USD), 23 percent higher than the whole of last year. Among the biggest projects were the Vinh Smart City urban area, worth 121 million USD, and a 54 million USD afforestation project.

The province also attracted five foreign-invested projects capitalised at 1 billion USD, ranking fourth among foreign investment receivers nationwide in the period.

"The result is above our expectation," the department's foreign trade division head Nguyen Van An said.

"On-going efforts of the local authorities in seeking investment sources in past years is one of the main reasons for this good performance," An said.

"This also proves the increasing attraction of Nghe An to domestic and foreign investors."

Local authorities would continue giving incentives and assistance to businesses to help increase investment, An said, especially in producing construction materials, farm product processing and support industries.

The province was also calling for investment in 22 marine and ecological tourism projects, estimated at 250 million USD.

The projects were expected to develop tourist attractions for both foreign and domestic tourists.

Investors would receive the province's support in terms of site clearance, infrastructure and labour training.

The province had drawn up a plan to improve its Provincial Competitiveness Index with a focus on fostering administrative reforms and strengthening human resources, An said.

TH Milk Co general director Tran Bao Minh said the province had a good economic structure and the geographic location favourable for his company to build a 1.2 billion USD fresh milk processing plant in Nghia Dan district.

Construction of the plant's first phase, worth 350 million USD, began in May./.