Continuing the joyful spring...

(Baonghean) - The weather in Vinh City in early spring, nearing the full moon of the first lunar month, is mild and warm. Ho Chi Minh Square is bustling with flags and flowers. Vinh train station, Vinh airport, and streets adorned with vibrant banners welcome investors to Nghe An for the Spring 2015 Investor Meeting. With eager handshakes and warm greetings, investors, successful sons and daughters of the homeland, return to exchange and receive new messages full of responsibility for a more developed and prosperous Nghe An.

The auditorium of the Oriental International Convention Center, with a capacity of over 800 seats, was packed with attendees at the Investor Meeting. This was the largest conference, attracting the most investors and businesses since the first one held in 2009. This year's Spring Investor Meeting was held against the backdrop of Nghe An province having just received a decision from the Prime Minister announcing the adjustment of the general planning of Vinh City until 2030 with a vision to 2050, and the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone being expanded by 1,200 hectares, increasing the total area of ​​the Southeast Economic Zone from 18,826.47 hectares to approximately 20,026.47 hectares, including the entire area of ​​Hoang Mai Industrial Park and Dong Hoi Industrial Park. The conference also took place in the context of Nghe An province developing a strategy for a new phase, with a vision to 2030, and it was crucial to listen to and share contributions to key programs. A great opportunity is opening up, offering golden chances for investors to come to the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh. Attracting investment is identified by Nghe An as a crucial solution, creating a "leap forward" for the province on its path to development.

TH milk production line. Photo: Sy Minh

Following the solemn opening ceremonies of the conference, Provincial Party Secretary Ho Duc Phoc delivered a welcoming message to the distinguished guests and investors who were "inaugurating" the province, bringing good fortune and dedication to building and developing Nghe An - the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh. One of the important messages he conveyed was the announcement of the revised master plan for Vinh City until 2030, with a vision to 2050, which had just been approved by the Prime Minister. The exchange and discussion of opinions among investors also attracted much attention from the conference attendees. Ms. Thai Huong, General Director of Bac A Commercial Joint Stock Bank, captivated domestic and international investors with her story about projects advised and invested in by Bac A Bank, making a strong impression with her bold yet successful moves even during a time of national and global crisis.

Even more valuable, the investor, hailing from Nghe An province, has strongly exploited the precious potential of the land and people here, pioneering and encouraging many other investors to invest in traditional agriculture that seemed unable to find a place in the trend of industrialization and modernization. According to Ms. Thai Huong: “The project not only impacts the economy but also creates a shift in community awareness about consuming clean fresh milk, contributing to improving the health of future generations. This is the result of intelligence, passion, and love for the homeland. We also cannot fail to mention the support and companionship of Nghe An province throughout this journey.”

BIDV Bank provides support for development projects and programs in Nghe An province.

Sharing with us, Mr. Kim Jong Gun - CEO of Em-Tech Vietnam Co., Ltd.'s Nghe An branch, said: Em-Tech Company, headquartered in Bac Ninh, specializes in manufacturing electronic components for Samsung Group. However, the company chose Nghe An as its location due to its large population and abundant labor force. Although it has only been operating in Nghe An for two years, the company has already recruited 3,100 workers, paying relatively high salaries: from 5 to 5.5 million VND per month. “Attending this conference, I also want to share the good news that around the beginning of the second quarter, the company will officially begin construction of a factory in Nghe An, with a total investment of approximately 800 billion VND, to replace the current temporary rented factory, ensuring more efficient and sustainable production and business operations in Nghe An.”

BIDV Bank signs agreement to arrange financing for investment projects in Nghe An.

Sharing concerns about infrastructure conditions – the first foundation for attracting investment and socio-economic development – ​​are two enterprises: Tuan Loc Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company and Hoa Sen Group. Mr. Ho Sy Hoa, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tuan Loc Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company, stated that with three investment projects in Nghe An in three areas: water supply, seaports, and industrial park infrastructure, this represents a unique approach as the investor focuses on building the initial foundation for socio-economic development. On February 3rd, the Song Lam Water Supply Plant project, providing raw water, commenced construction in Nam Dan district – marking the beginning of Tuan Loc's journey in accompanying Nghe An in improving the living environment, investment environment, and fulfilling the task of economic development.

Mr. Le Phuoc Vu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hoa Sen Group, warmly welcomed the upgrading of Vinh Airport to an international airport and the expansion of Cua Lo Port, emphasizing that transportation infrastructure is one of Nghe An's strengths that should be further developed to increase its attractiveness to investors. He stated: “We propose that attention should be paid to upgrading the road connecting Cua Lo Port and the international border gate through Vientiane, thereby expanding to Northeast Thailand. In this way, Nghe An will become a strategic destination, attracting investors, especially those with export products.” He also expressed his sincere gratitude for the attention, support, and favorable conditions provided by the leaders of Nghe An province to businesses. A rapidly improving investment environment is evident, bringing excitement and confidence to investors when they come to Nghe An. This was the feeling of Mr. Le Phuoc Vu and also the general feeling of the delegates present at the conference.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, a native son of Nghe An, has always left a deep impression at investment conferences in the province with his guidance and messages, imbued with a sense of responsibility and affection for his homeland. Three years ago, in his guidance for Nghe An, he suggested, "We need new steps, steps different from those of 10 years ago. Therefore, we need to prepare infrastructure and human resources to meet the demands of a high-speed economy. Nghe An should reconsider its development plan. We need to improve the investment environment, build infrastructure, and create a new, more effective investment environment with a new mindset."

Following that direction, Nghe An has made a strong breakthrough, investing in expanding technical infrastructure, rapidly developing transportation, expanding ring roads and boulevards, investing in airports and seaports, and striving in building new rural areas. This year, with the same spirit of frankness and responsibility, Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung commended the remarkable achievements that Nghe An has made in attracting and promoting investment in particular and in implementing socio-economic development tasks in general. He was also very pleased to listen to the six opinions expressed by businesses, showing their deep affection and sentiments towards the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh. Not only as a leader, but also as a son of the homeland returning with feelings of gratitude and concern, he hoped that the leaders of Nghe An province would be open to receiving contributions and create all conditions to bring the greatest benefits to businesses and entrepreneurs coming to the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh.

The Provincial People's Committee awarded certificates of commendation to investors who made significant contributions in 2014.

Looking back at Nghe An's investment attraction and promotion efforts over the past period, many large-scale projects utilizing high technology have stood out, operating effectively, creating numerous jobs, and contributing significantly to the state budget. In the coming time, Nghe An will make every effort and focus on key projects such as the industrial park and service urban complex of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park Investment and Development Joint Venture Company (VSIP 6 in Nghe An); the Textile and Garment Industrial Park of Tuan Loc Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company;… Nghe An also identifies economic zones and industrial parks as key areas for attracting investment, becoming dynamic and attractive "magnets" for the province's investment environment and economy. To achieve this specific goal, Nghe An will continue to focus on attracting investment in infrastructure development.

The first registered capital flows into Nghe An and were granted investment certificates right at the conference, with 9 projects: Venture Nghe An Export Garment Factory Project (90.6 billion VND) employing 2,000 workers; Cassava starch processing plant project in Anh Son district (Hoa Son Agricultural Products Processing Co., Ltd.); total investment of 224 billion VND; General port construction project at berths 5 and 6 of Cua Lo Port in the Southeast Economic Zone by Tuan Loc Investment - Construction Joint Stock Company, total investment of 650 billion VND; Infrastructure of the Textile and Garment Industrial Park (Tuan Loc Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company) with an area of ​​650 hectares, total expected investment of 2,500 billion VND, in Zone D, Nam Cam Industrial Park; Raw water supply system project, with a capacity of 200,000 m3/day supplying clean water plants in the city. Vinh (Song Lam Water Supply Joint Stock Company) with a total investment of 496 billion VND; the project for a factory producing anti-virus patches by Envroy Vietnam Joint Stock Company (Japan), with a total investment of 3.5 million USD, located in Hoang Mai Industrial Park; the project for a factory producing superphosphate fertilizer and marble by Bohra Industries Vietnam Co., Ltd. with a total investment of 24 million USD, located in Dong Hoi Industrial Park...

At the conference, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong affirmed: "Strongly improving the investment environment and attracting investment is both a task and a solution outlined in Resolution 26 of the Politburo for the Party Committee, government, and people of Nghe An province from now until 2020." And as National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung remarked, with its potential in land and human resources, and infrastructure undergoing significant investment, Nghe An is undergoing strong transformation, truly cooperating with investors for mutual benefit. The aspirations for breakthrough development in the coming period are being fueled by investors themselves, right at the beginning of this joyful spring.

Chau Lan - Thuc Anh