Vietnam expects new wave of investment from RoK

Vietnam expects a new wave of foreign direct investment (FDI) from the Republic of Korea (RoK) in the wake of the recently signed bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).

Vietnam expects a new wave of foreign direct investment (FDI) from theRepublic of Korea (RoK) in the wake of the recently signed bilateralfree trade agreement (FTA).

The RoK surpassed majorinvestors from Japan and Singapore to become the biggest investor inVietnam with hundreds of projects in 2014 and the first four months ofthis year.

The RoK’s Hyosung group, with twoinvestment projects worth 995 million USD in southern Dong Nai province,has received an investment licence to implement an industrial yarnmanufacturing project worth 660 million USD in the province, the largestFDI project in Vietnam in January-April.

Many othergiants from the RoK such as Lotte, Samsung, Kumho, and Taekwang plan toexpand their operations in Vietnam, which helped to attract hundreds offoreign investors to the Southeast Asian country.

For example, Samsung manufacturing complexes in northern Bac Ninh andThai Nguyen provinces lured nearly 100 RoK suppliers.

Most recently, the RoK’s ACE Technology met with authorities fromnorthern Ha Nam province to discuss investment plans for a wirelessaerial manufacturing plant for smart phones with a total capital of 70million USD.

According to the Ministry of Planningand Investment, Korean investment projects were previously carried outby small-and medium-sized enterprises, focusing on garments, textilesand footwear.

Yet in present day, moremultinational RoK groups are investing in Vietnam in high technology,electronics, real estate, manufacturing and trade. They accounted foronly 5 percent of RoK’s projects in the country but 70 percent ofinvestment capital.

According to the KoreanInternational Trade Association (KITA), the majority of Korean companiesplan to expand business in emerging foreign markets in 2015 withVietnam as the most favourite destination.

KITA’ssurvey revealed that 49 percent of the 540 Korean businesses surveyedabout the investment climate in 32 countries confirmed that they plan toexpand operations in Vietnam this year in anticipation of opportunitiespresented by the free trade agreement.

As of April20 this year, RoK investors owned a total registered capital of over38.54 billion USD in 4,333 valid projects in Vietnam, according to theForeign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning andInvestment.-VNA

See more

Nestlé Vietnam announces investment expansion in Vietnam operations (Photo: thanhnien.vn)

Nestlé announces investment expansion in Vietnam operations

Since 2011, Nestlé’s NESCAFÉ Plan has supported over 21,000 coffee farming households in adopting internationally recognised sustainable farming practices. These efforts have helped reduce water use by 40–60%, cut chemical fertiliser use by 20%, and increase farmers' incomes by 30–150% through crop diversification

Vietnam to diversify markets for agricultural products amid global trade shifts. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam to diversify markets for agricultural products amid global trade shifts

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), Vietnam’s agricultural product exports are inevitably affected by disruptions in global supply chains and the imposition of unilateral, stringent tariff policies by major economies. Nonetheless, these challenges also present an opportunity for Vietnam to adjust its export strategy and focus more intently on emerging and high-potential markets.

Delegates commence the construction of AEON Hai Duong Shopping Centre in Hai Duong Province on April 19. (Photo courtesy of AEON Vietnam)

Construction of AEON Hai Duong Shopping Centre kicked off

With a total investment of around 1.18 trillion VND (45.6 million USD), the AEON Hai Duong Shopping Centre is designed with a total floor area of approximately 3.6 hectares. Spanning an estimated gross floor area (GFA) of roughly 38,100 sq.m, the shopping centre will feature ample parking space for nearly 600 cars and 1,200 motorcycles.

Hai Phong hosts a conference on green transition and sustainable development. (Photo: congluan)

Hai Phong’s green growth sees both progress and obstacles

As part of its 2024 green growth efforts, Hai Phong implemented initiatives across 17 sectors. These included building and refining legal and policy frameworks as well as strengthening state management in line with green growth objectives.

Chanh Thon carpentry village in Nam Tien commune, Phu Xuyen district, Hanoi (Source: nongthonmoihanoi.gov.vn)

Hanoi to develop 254-million-USD industrial cluster

Until 2030, Hanoi looks to have 159 industrial clusters covering a total area of 3,204 ha, expand five clusters established between 2017 and 2020 with a total area of about 45 ha, and build 21 new ones covering about 536 ha.