Opening the meeting, ITPC Director Tran Phu Lu highlighted the FDI community’s remarkable contribution to the southern city’s growth, not only through capital and technology but also modern management, innovation, and integration. Despite challenges, investors continue to show strong confidence in the city’s dynamic, responsive, and reform-oriented business environment.

The conference takes place as HCM City integrates its development space with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, forming a new administrative-economic entity covering 6,773 square kilometers, with a combined gross regional domestic product (GRDP) estimated at VND3.03 million billion (US$123 billion), accounting for 23.5% of national GDP.

GRDP per capita reaches US$8,944, 1.7 times the national average. The city targets GRDP growth of 10-11% annually during 2025-2030, with the digital economy accounting for 30-40% of GRDP, and per capita GRDP reaching US$14,000-15,000 by 2030.

The southern metropolis focuses on five strategic solutions: improving the legal framework; transforming the growth model; developing key infrastructure; attracting investment; and cultivating a high-quality workforce. Expenditure on R&D is expected to reach 2-3% of GRDP, the proportion of workers with college or university degrees 24%, and the Human Development Index (HDI) above 0.8.

By the end of the third quarter of 2025, the city had over 19,800 active FDI projects with total registered capital exceeding US$141 billion, up 37.4% year-on-year. It is prioritizing five breakthrough areas: Thu Thiem International Financial Center; a smart urban chain in the Southeast region; an innovation corridor from Thu Duc to industrial zones and seaports; smart logistics clusters in Cai Mep - Thi Vai- Can Gio; and a high-end eco-tourism and resort hub in Vung Tau -Can Gio.

At the meeting, nine foreign business associations, including AmCham, EuroCham, JETRO, KOCHAM, SingCham, and NordCham, put forward six key recommendations: administrative reform; completion of the legal framework for the International Financial Center; development of transport and logistics infrastructure; promotion of green finance and a circular economy; enhancement of workforce quality; and encouragement of digital transformation, FinTech, and e-commerce.

Municipal leaders affirmed that FDI enterprises are strategic partners, while pledging to support them and create a transparent, competitive investment environment, with the aim of developing the city into an international mega city and a financial-technology hub in Southeast Asia.

UK backs HCM City in sustainable urban and transport development

VOV.VN - The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on September 23 to ramp up cooperation in urban development, construction, infrastructure, and transport.