​​At Binh Duong bridge point, there were Mr. Mai Ba Truoc - Director of the Department of Planning and Investment; leaders' representatives of a number of departments, committees, branches and IPs in the province.

IPs, EZs promote investment attraction

As reported by the Economic Zones Management Department, up to now, Vietnam has 395 IPs (including 350 IPs located outside EZs, 37 IPs located in coastal EZs, 8 IPs located in border gate EZs) established with a total area of more than 123,000 ha. In which, 291 IPs have been put into operation with a total area of more than 87,100 ha. The occupancy rate of IPs in operation reached 70.9%. 18 coastal EZs have been established with a total area of 857,600 ha. The leasing area for projects in the EZs is over 33/99.2 thousand hectares. IPs, EZs have attracted 10,996 projects of foreign investment attraction, with total investment capital of 230.2 billion USD, realized investment capital is about 69%; 10,211 domestic projects with total investment capital of 2.54 million billion VND, realized capital is about 46.5%. Some large projects are such as the project of Samsung Group (about 17 billion USD); projects of LG (1.5 billion USD), Formosa (12 billion USD), Vingroup, Sungroup, Truong Hai, Hoa Phat, etc.​

​​Delegates attend at Binh Duong bridge point

In 2020, export turnover of enterprises in IPs, EZs reached 138 billion USD (accounting for 55% of export turnover of the whole country). Contributing to the state budget more than 137,000 billion VND. Creating jobs for 4 million workers, accounting for 6.8% of the country's labor force, of which labor in industry and construction alone accounted for 22%.

Mr. Tran Quoc Trung - Deputy Director of Economic Zones Management Department, Ministry of Planning and Investment said that in the coming time, Vietnam will develop in terms of the number and size of IPs, EZs, ensuring sustainability, adhering to the principle of promoting local strengths, creating favorable conditions for linkages and development of regional economies, clusters of industry linkages. Forming a system of core IPs and key EZs with the role of leading the development of national industries. Developing types of eco-IPs, supporting IPs, specialized IPs and high-tech IPs in the delta region to develop industries with high added value, high technology, and value chain linkages. Developing small and medium-sized IPs in rural and mountainous areas to develop processing industries (food, foodstuffs, agriculture, forestry and fisheries), labor-intensive industries (textiles, footwear). Toward a balance in the development of IPs, EZs to reduce pressure on traffic, urban areas, environment and social infrastructure. Limiting the development of IPs on agricultural land with stable productivity. Promoting the development of IPs, EZs in depth, improving quality and operational efficiency. Restructuring projects in IPs, EZs through technological innovation, increasing added value and being environmentally friendly; using less resources (land, water, etc.), energy, labor. Diversifying modes of cooperation in investment and development of infrastructure in IPs, EZs; encouraging the mobilization of private resources in the construction and development of IPs, EZs.

Need more policies to attract enterprises to invest in IZs, EZs

Discussing at the Forum, experts said that, in order to continue to attract strong investment in IPs, EZs after Covid-19, Vietnam needs to continue to promote vaccination for workers in enterprises and solutions to implement measures for Covid-19 prevention and control to create favorable conditions for enterprises to recover, maintain and develop. Effectively implementing policies to increase liquidity for enterprises such as exemption and reduction of taxes, fees, payables, and reduction of loan interest rates; continuing the policy of extending and delaying the tax payment time for enterprises; implementing the policy of providing interest rate compensation for enterprises in industries that are strongly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and key groups of industries prioritized for development to create momentum for economic recovery. Enhancing access to finance through the small and medium-sized enterprises Development Fund and other preferential capital sources; reducing costs for enterprises. Stepping up the implementation of support to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in accordance with the Law on Support for small and medium-sized enterprises, focusing on innovative start-up enterprises, supporting enterprises to join linkages and value chains, supporting enterprises in digital transformation, application of science and technology, and innovation. Supporting labor restructuring; supporting to attract and retrain workers for enterprises; restructuring the enterprises and corporate finance; supporting risk management, etc.

Vietnam will have many policies to attract investment in new IPs, EZs. Photo: A corner of Bau Bang IP in Binh Duong

At the Forum, delegates and enterprises exchanged, discussed and answered about mechanisms and policies to attract investment in IPs, EZs; opportunities and orientations to attract investment in IPs, EZs in the coming period.

According to Mr. Takeo Nakajima - Chief Representative of JETRO Hanoi, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, companies are tending to shift their production chains to many localities of Vietnam. One of the important factors contributing to attracting investment is the ability to meet human resources, and the commitment of IPs and EZs owners in supporting enterprises in the production and business process. Transport infrastructure also plays an important role in attracting investment, localities with transport infrastructure connecting seaports, river ports, railway stations and airports will be attractive destinations for investors.

Concluding the Forum, Mr. Le Thanh Quan - Director of the Economic Zones Management Department, Ministry of Planning and Investment said that the Forum was a great success. Noting proposals and recommendations to develop policies for the development of IPs, EZs in the coming time, the Ministry of Planning and Investment will study new policies and models of EZs with more attractive policies to create a breakthrough in the development of IPs, EZs, aiming for Vietnam to always be an attractive destination for investors.

Reported by Mai Xuan - Translated by Nguyen Trang