FDI: registered capital of USD 2.7 billion & 256 new projects

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Vietnam Economic Times– 26^th May 2009

According to Foreign Investment Department under Ministry of Planning and Investment, in the first 5 months of 2009, there were 256 FDI projects newly funded with the total registered capital of USD 2.7 billions, being equal to 10.8% of the same period of 2008.

Besides, there were 40 projects which increased capital with the additional registered capital of USD 3.96 billions, increasing 27.8% compared with the same period of 2008. The most attracting fields are resident and catering service with the registered capital of nearly USD 4.5 billions, real estate with USD 1.45 billions in newly and additional registered capital. The US continued to be the greatest investor with 9 new projects, as s result, having total registered capital of USD 53.5 million and additional registered capital of USD 3.8 billions. It was followed by South Korea with 59 projects and total registered capital of USD 1 billion. For the newly registered capital, South Korea was the leading partner in the first 5 months of 2009. The most attracting provinces were Ba Ria – Vung Tau (USD 5.1 billions), followed by Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Da Nang and Vinh Phuc.

In summary, the first 5 months of 2009 saw the figure of USD 6.68 billion invested by foreign investors in Vietnam, being approximate to the committed capital of the whole year 2005 (USD 6.8 billions). However, the capital in the first 5 months was only equal to 23.7% of the same in 2008 which is the year having highest level of FDI. FDI projected is estimated to disburse USD 2.8 billion being equal to 70.9% of the same period last year.

On May 22^nd, in Tokyo, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had a talk with Japan’s Prime Minister Taro Aso in Prime Minister’s office.

The two Prime Ministers focused on exchanging opinions on ways and great methods to specifically implement the contents mentioned in the Declaration of strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia declared in the official visit of the Party Leader Nong Duc Manh to Japan in April 2009. Vietnam and Japan continued to cooperate in economic, financial, cultural and educational fields, especially in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects: 南北高速道路、南北高速鉄道、Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park、Noi Bai国際空港T2ターミナルの新築工事、Lach Huyen国際港（Hai Phong）、Da Nang－Quang Ngai高速道路。

PM Nguyen Tan Dung suggested Japanese Government to give the priority and increase ODA for Vietnam. He said that Vietnam always highly appreciates Japan’s ODA as well as utilizes this kind of fund effectively; besides, Vietnam continued to cooperate with Japan to strictly implement measures mentioned in the Report of the Viet Nam – Japan Anti-Corruption Committee.

Japanese PM Taro Aso informed that Japanese Parliament began to discuss about ratifying Viet Nam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. The PM Aso affirmed that Japanese Government would consider Vietnam’s recommendation on giving a part of emergency financial package for Asian countries to Vietnam in order to reduce effects of the global economic recession.

The two countries agreed to establish a forum to exchange information on Market Economy Regulations of Vietnam so that Japanese Government can consider and accept Vietnam as a country that has market economy. The two countries also agreed to well co-organize activities of “Mekong – Japan Exchange Year 2009”; to improve the cooperation in international and regional organization & forums.

Promotion of launching direct flight Da Nang – Japan

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Vietnam Economic Times– 15^th May 2009

8 May, Furama Resort, Da Nang city, Da Nang People’s Committee held a workshop to promote the opening of direct flight from Osaka (Japan) to Danang and vice versa.

This aims to attract high income customers so as to bring investment opportunities for Japanese enterprises and to enhance economic, cultural relationship between the two countries, particularly to utilize tourism potential of Central region. It is expected that the first flight will be operated in November or December 2009. After that, continuous flights shall be operated in July 2010.

　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Approval of revised planning of international airports
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Vietnam Economic Times– 29^th April 2009


Prime Minister has made decision on approval of　revised planning of international airport.According to revised planning, Middle region shall build new international airports as Cam Ranh and Chu Lai. Cam Ranh airport shall be invested to newly build station, control tower and night lighting system to be early announced as international airport in 2009. In Southern, flight area of Can Tho international airport was upgraded and set into operation from early 2009.  Phu Quoc international airport proposed Government for approval of planning up to 2030 and currently, it is implementing site clearance to commence in late 2009. LongThanh international airport will become one of the largest transshipment international airports in region with capacity of 100 million guests per year and total investment amount is 5 billion USD. In Northern, after finishing construction of T2 station, Noi Bai international airport shall build more T3 and T4 station to serve 50 million guests per year.

April, 2009: decrease in FDI attraction is 87%

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Vietnam Economics Times - 28^th April 2009

According to Foreign Investment Department (Ministry of Planning and Investment),in the first four months, the attraction all over the country is 6.357 billion US dollars, equivalent to 83% of the attraction in the previous year.

In April only, we have attracted more 342 million US dollars only,decreasing 87% compared to the same month of the previous year. Compared toMarch, that figure of April has decreased to 52%. At present, there are 145 projects were issued new investment certificates with the total value of 2.48 billion US dollars and 23 projects asking for more funds with total value of 3.87 billion US dollars. Among 27 countries investing in Vietnam, the leadingone is US (3.82 billion US dollars), followed by Korea, Hong Kong, Britain and Singapore. 



　　　　　　　　　For Hanoi’s sustainable development: 107 projects shall be delayed

After 4 months, total reviewed buildinginvestment projects in Hanoi is 318. In which, there are 58 project shall be　implemented continuously, 153 projects shall be revised to implement to comply with pubic planning of Hanoi expansion city and particularly, 107 project shall be delayed.

The result of review shows that: there are many insufficiencies for investment project in Hanoi expansion area. Some projects have not been implemented conforming to procedure of Decree N0.08 issuedby Government on planning or implemented without detail planning approved by authorities.

Up to now, after 5 months, the total reviewed project is 744 with the total occupied land area is 75,189ha. In which, new urban area, housing, complex projects counted the maximum percentage with 389 projects (equal to 52%),land area is 39,148 ha and estimated citizen is 2.4 million people.

For planning and building investment projects was proposed to delay to wait for approval of Hanoi’s urban expansion planning: this group includes detail approved planning projects but notconforming to Capital Area Planning issued by Prime Minister on DecisionNo.490/QD-TTg dated 05/5/2008 and content of Common Planning for Hanoi expansion Mission approved by Prime Minister on Decision No. 1878/QD-TTg dated22/12/2008.

People’s Committee of Hanoi announced that: Hanoi city shall co-operate with Ministry of Construction to continue reviewing and classifying planning projects,investment projects. The result of review shall clarify which projects shall be continued, delayed to wait for revised and which projects shall be stopped permanently.

After completing classification result, Hanoi PC shall report to Government and announce to local leaders and project owners. This process is expected to complete in June 2009.