Binh Duong targets $1.7b in FDI

The southern province of Binh Duong hopes to attract US$1.6-1.7 billion in foreign direct investment this year, People's Committee's Chairman Le Thanh Cung has said.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the third phase of issue of investment certificates this year to investors yesterday, he said that in the year-to-date the province had attracted US$1.4 billion, which is 140% of the year's target and 26% up year-on-year.

The investments have been in 113 new projects worth US$673 million with the remaining going into 99 existing ones.

He told Viet Nam News that another US$200-300 million is likely in the remaining months.

The province has attracted investors in every field including industry, services, urban development, and housing, he said.

But in the first nine months investment in property has not been very high.

Cung hoped this would change later this year when the property market recovers.

On September 16, the province issued investment certificates for 42 projects, 37 of them foreign and 19 of them new.

One of the companies to get the certificate was Esquel Garment Manufacturing Vietnam Company Ltd, which was affected by the riots in May. The company is increasing its investment by US$35 million.

A company spokesperson hailed the support provided by Binh Duong authorities following the riots as well as their transparency.

The province is rezoning manufacturing areas based on its socio-economic development master plan, manufacturing areas plan, and urban plan to gradually move companies from urban areas and the south to the north.

Some companies have already moved under this plan.

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