The event attracted numerous businesses and associations from Vietnam and Malaysia in sectors including industrial infrastructure, manufacturing, high technology, green economy, digital transformation, trade, and investment consulting.

Cao Thi Phi Van, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC), presented an overview of Vietnam’s investment environment, highlighting sustainable growth, reasonable costs, a young population, and strategic geographic location. Ho Chi Minh City is considered an economic hub, contributing 24% of GDP with US$115 billion.

In the same context, Le Van Thinh, Deputy Head of Ho Chi Minh City’s Management Board of Export Processing Zones and Industrial Parks (HEPZA), highlighted the city’s advantages in attracting FDI, including strategic location, high-quality human resources, dynamic business environment, and attractive incentive policies.

The city currently hosts three export processing zones and 102 industrial parks covering 49,242 hectares, with an average investment rate of 8-10 million US$ per hectare. From 2025 to 2030, the FDI target for these zones is USS 21 billion, focusing on high-tech innovation, integrated industry-urban-service models, green and circular economy, and digital economy. HEPZA pledges to provide fast and transparent administrative procedures, along with complete and modern infrastructure.

Malaysian representatives also shared positive assessments of collaboration opportunities.

Nazuki Abdullah, Director in charge of cross-border investment at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) emphasized Malaysia’s investment strategy toward green technology, digital economy, and Industry 4.0, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ESG standards.

Andrew Goh Boon Kim, Vice President of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), and S. Jal Shankar, Senior Director of the Export Promotion and Market Access Division at the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) noted that smart industrial, digital, and bilateral trade cooperation enhances future competitiveness and leverages complementary strengths in sectors including electronics, palm oil, Islamic finance, healthcare, Halal industry, manufacturing, textiles, IT, and agriculture.

In education and business networking, Loy Teik Ngan, Group Executive Chairman of Taylor’s Education Group announced a US$165 million investment in the British University Vietnam (BUV) to provide international-standard education, cultivate future leaders, and connect Vietnam to global opportunities.

Angus Liew, Chairman of the Malaysia Business Chamber in Vietnam (MBC) highlighted Malaysia as one of Vietnam’s top ten trade partners and reaffirmed MBC’s commitment to further support business connections between the two countries.

Representatives from Gamuda Land shared their successful business experience in Vietnam, emphasizing advantages including a young and industrious population, strategic location in Southeast Asia, developed infrastructure, and government administrative reforms, while encouraging investors to overcome legal and cultural differences with persistence and support from ITPC and MBC.

The roundtable provided an opportunity for Vietnamese and Malaysian businesses to exchange, connect, and explore bilateral investment opportunities, thus contributing to stronger ties and prosperity within the ASEAN region.

Vietnam, Malaysia see opportunities to expand ties across various sectors

The signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership in November 2024 has opened up significant opportunities for Vietnam and Malaysia to enhance cooperation across emerging sectors such as green transition, security, and the digital economy, stated Collins Chong Yew Keat, a foreign policy and security expert at the University of Malaya.

Vietnam-Malaysia trade records strong growth over past decade

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Malaysia has recorded remarkable growth over the past decade, rising from US$8 billion in 2015 to US$14.2 billion in 2024, and is well on track to reach the target of US$18 billion ahead of schedule.