Eight operational EZs in Vietnam are expected to pull in some US$11 billion worth of investment capital by the end of this year and early next year the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) said.
The zones have to date lured a total US$8.6 billion from both domestic and foreign investors, according to the MPI.
Dung Quat tops among the EZs with 70 projects valued at US$3.8 billion. Of the total, 33 projects have been in operation, including key sectors such as oil refinery, shipbuilding, steel laminating and heavy mechanics facilities.
Chan May-Lang Co EZ has attracted 50 projects costing $1 billion.
As many as 43 projects have been licensed into Chu Lai EZ, bringing it in $480 million, mostly focusing on assembling vehicles, making floating glass and thermo power plants.
A large flux of international giant firms has arrived in Van Phong EZ in to explore the business climate, aiming for long-term investment opportunities. Japan’s Sumitomo group plans build a container transit port, expected to cost $250 million. The group is seeking to launch a coal-run thermo power plant there worth $3.5 billion.
Meanwhile, Vietnam Construction and Machinery Installation Corporation (Lilama), the largest machine assembler in the country, will build a $1.25 billion thermo electricity plant in Vung Ang EZ in the coming time.
Vietnam now has eight EZs, mostly located in the central region including Chu Lai in Quang Nam province, Dung Quat in Quang Ngai, Nhon Hoi in Binh Dinh, Chan May-Lang Co in Thua Thien-Hue, Vung Ang in Ha Tinh, Nghi Son in Thanh Hoa, Van Phong in Khanh Hoa and only two in the southern region namely Phu Quoc Island and Nam An Thoi group of islands in Kien Giang province.
Vietnam will inject additional VND16,000-24,000 billion ($1-1.5 billion) in infrastructure construction in these zones in 2006-2010, state media reported.
With more than 130 industrial zones and exports processing zones, the Southeast-Asian promises a potential destination for foreigners. (Vietnam & World Economy)
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