Attracting investment, creating momentum for the economy

(Baonghean) - In recent years, investment attraction activities in Nghe An province have been quite active and have achieved positive results. Nghe An Newspaper reporter had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Van Do, Provincial Party Committee member - Director of the Department of Planning and Investment about this activity.

PV:Sir, looking back over the past term, attracting investment has created momentum and made great contributions to the socio-economy in the area. Can you tell us more about this field?

Mr. Nguyen Van Do:In recent times, investment attraction projects in the province have boosted GDP growth and contributed to the economic restructuring of the province towards industrialization and modernization. These include hydropower, beer, cement, TH milk, MDF wood, textile and garment production, electronics, and mineral processing projects. Investment projects in urban areas have contributed to urban beautification, forming a new, modern appearance, especially Vinh City, Cua Lo Town, and Dien Chau. In Nghe An, there is also a relatively developed banking service system and commercial service centers; a tourism infrastructure system, including high-end infrastructure such as golf courses, 5-star hotels, resorts, etc.

Nghe An Provincial People's Committee and Department of Planning and Investment worked with the Oil and Gas Group.

The projects have increased Nghe An's export turnover in textiles, electronic components, toys... In 2014, the export turnover reached more than 500 million USD. Typical export items are textiles; wood chips, tapioca starch; electronics. Some projects contribute nearly 50% of the local budget such as Saigon - Song Lam Beer, Hanoi Beer, hydropower projects, Sabeco Packaging Factory, Hua Na Hydropower, Khe Bo Hydropower. Another value is creating jobs for local workers with about 20,000 - 25,000 people. Nghe An has also initially attracted a number of high-tech application projects in agriculture such as: TH concentrated industrial milk farming and processing, Conservation and development of high-quality medicinal resources; in industry such as: Complex for producing essential oils, medicinal herbs, high-tech functional foods, High-tech industrial production complex (Nam Dan - Van An). Gradually develop cultural, sports, medical and educational facilities in the direction of socialization.

PV:2014 was the year Nghe An had the most success in both quantity and quality of investment attraction projects. Another success was that the Government allowed the expansion of the Southeast Economic Zone to 1,200 hectares. What is the significance of this, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Van Do:With the close leadership of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee, the participation of sectors and levels in the area, innovation in thinking and selection of partners, investment attraction is an outstanding field in terms of results in 2014. As of November 30, 2014, new investment certificates have been granted and adjusted for 127 projects/27,384 billion VND of newly registered and increased investment capital. Thus, the number of projects registered for investment in Nghe An province from 2011 to present is 320 projects/62,174.4 billion VND.

In particular, the Prime Minister has just issued Decision 67/2014/QD-TTg amending and supplementing Clause 1, Article 2, Regulations on the operation of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone, Nghe An province issued mechanisms and policies attached to Decision 21/2010/QD-TTg dated March 3, 2010. Specifically, the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone has a total area of ​​about 20,026.47 hectares, including: The existing economic zone area is 18,826.47 hectares and the adjusted area increases by about 1,200 hectares including the entire area of ​​Hoang Mai Industrial Park and Dong Hoi Industrial Park. This will be very good for all projects when investing in the Southeast Economic Zone to enjoy the policies of the economic zone, and at the same time connect directly with the Nghi Son - Thanh Hoa Dynamic Economic Zone.

Construction of Nghia Dan MDF Wood Processing Factory.

PV:To better carry out investment attraction work in the coming years, what solutions does the Department of Planning and Investment advise the province, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Van Do:The whole province is actively implementing the Project "Focusing on attracting effective investment into Nghe An province by 2020" and solutions to improve the investment environment, enhance the provincial competitiveness index in the spirit of Resolution No. 26-NQ/TU. Accordingly, the Department of Planning and Investment advises the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee to direct all levels and sectors to promote the combined strength of the entire political system to strongly improve the investment environment, especially administrative reform must be effective and convincing; review and adjust the planning to suit the actual situation on the basis of promoting the potential and advantages of the province; strengthen and improve the effectiveness of investment promotion activities; develop infrastructure (focus on directing the construction of important and essential infrastructure, prioritize the allocation of investment capital to build infrastructure systems to serve investors, balance annual capital for site clearance, proactively create a reasonable clean land fund to be ready to welcome investors.

Maximize resources to invest in infrastructure development); support investors in site clearance, labor supply and training, support investment in infrastructure inside and outside the project fence, research, technology transfer and build high-quality technology models... Support investors to quickly and conveniently resolve administrative procedures on investment registration, investment licensing or investment license adjustment and other administrative procedures; increase access to land, production and business premises; manage state investment projects appropriately; continue to invest in transport infrastructure and economic zone infrastructure, meeting the needs of investors.

The Department also advises the province on the orientation of selecting investment partners for infrastructure development that are capable of attracting secondary investors to industrial parks and urban services (such as Becamex, VSIP), partners with large financial capacity, extensive experience, and the ability to invest stably and long-term; corporations and groups with business systems nationwide; enterprises from developed economies such as the US, EU, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Israel, etc.; Investors from developed countries, possessing source technology belonging to the G7 group including the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the UK and countries with emerging economies such as India, Russia, etc.

PV:Thank you!

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