Hi-tech park calls for investment in support industries

Le Thi Bich Loan said products manufactured in the park account for over 90% of the city’s total export value.

In recent years the value addition to its high-tech products has gradually increased, from 15% in 2010 to 20% last year and estimated 25% this year.

But to realise the 40% target, she said the park has rolled out several policies, one of which is to give preference to firms in support industries that provide goods and services for the technology industry. 

In particular, enterprises in support industries which want to be located in areas without infrastructure will be offered with the cheaper land rental of between VND12,300 and VND18,500 per square metre per year.

Meanwhile, those in areas with infrastructure facilities will have to pay VND17,200 and VND26,000 per square metre for land rent.

If support industry enterprises want to lease workshops in the SHTP, they will have to pay between US$4-5 per square metre per year, depending on their locations, Loan said.

Support industry enterprises will also receive loan subsidy as investing into the SHTP, she added.

The park will also subsidise training costs for companies in support industries for the semi-conductor, information, and bio-technology sectors by 10-50%, she said. 

It includes training in soft skills like communication, negotiation, English as well as labour safety and corporate management, she said.

The park will create a website for support industries to enable firms to find buyers, Loan said, adding that firms will be provided assistance with completing paperwork to obtain licences. 

The SHTP is one of Vietnam's three national technology parks and one of the city's five focal economic projects. 

It has received exceptional support from both the central and local governments in attracting foreign investment in hi-tech manufacturing and services, research and development, training, and incubation.