In 2008, Ben Tre ranked the seventh among 64 cities and provinces in the provincial competitiveness index (PCI). The province is emerging as one the most attractive investment destinations for both local and foreign investors. Vietnam Business Forum reporter had an interview with Mr Do Minh Duc-Director of the provincial Planning and Investment Department on the locality’s investment attraction achievements.
Could you talk about the province’s investment attraction?
Currently, Ben Tre is home to 3,217 businesses and 93 cooperatives. In 2008, the province licensed 250 new enterprises with a total registered capital of VND600 billion. It lured US$45 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) and nearly VND1.2 trillion of locally-invested capital.
Could you give your comments on local PCI improvement?
In 2006, the province stood at 26th in the PCI ranking. The local People’s Committee urged the Planning and Investment Department to build the plan to improve the PCI ratings. Concerned agencies focused on simplifying administrative reform; investment, business and tax code licensing; sealing; supporting enterprises to deal with post-licensing difficulties; implementing priorities for firms and holing regular meetings between companies and investors. Particularly, provincial leaders usually work with businesses to help them tackle problems. Regarding investment priority policies, Ben Tre offers priorities for investors and advances incentive policies. It will also concentrate on training and introducing laboures for investors. In terms of the transport sector, the province is building transport systems connecting provinces in the region. Early this year, Rach Mieu bridge was open to traffic, bringing advantages for the provinces over several localities in the Mekong Delta region.
What will the province continue to do to facilitate investment and the business environment?
With regard to investment and the business improvement: The province will continue carrying out set targets. This year, it will join hands with experts from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to check the task of improving the PCI ranking. The provincial Planning and Investment Department will cooperate with concerned agencies to maintain and raise the PCI in 2009 via technical assistance from the Developing Business with the rural poor project funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
In terms of investment incentives: The Planning and Investment Department has offered advice for the People’s Committee to revise and supplement several regulations to assist enterprises and investors.
-Planning and building industrial park infrastructure. The province will build at least two other industrial parks to provide land for investors.
-Focusing on supporting and providing qualified labour force for enterprises.
-As for dealing with administrative reform procedures: this year, Ben Tre will accelerate administrative procedure reform in business and investment area under the one-door policy. The People’s Committee has assigned the Planning and Investment Department and Industrial Park Management Board to take responsibility for handling licensing and business registration procedures.
-Leaders from local agencies and the provincial committee cooperate in settling difficulties for businesses. The Planning and Investment Department arrange meetings for companies and investors.
-In terms of production materials, the province has planned and developed material sources, particularly farm products (coconut and seafood) to help firms stabilise production.
This year, the province will intensify support for enterprises to implement licensed projects.
Which projects does the province call for investment this year and the following years?
Ben Tre is encouraging investors to participate in the areas of industrial park infrastructure. It will allocate at least 600 hectares of land to build two additional industrial parks in the coming time. It will also expand construction and business of Giao Long port, of the eco-tourism resort project by the Tien and Ham Luong rivers, of trade and service centres, of supportive industry projects, of farm product processing projects at industrial parks, of urban area projects, of resettlement areas and human resource development projects as well as healthcare projects.
Box:
Investors and enterprises care about investment information in Ben Tre province, please contact the provincial Investment Promotion Centre at:
No. 28, Le Dai Hanh, ward 3, Ben Tre town, Ben Tre province
Tel: (84-75) 3817358; Fax (84-75) 3825340;
Reported by Quoc Hung
Vietnamese
