Haiphong Industrial and Export Processing Zones - Ready for Investors
Haiphong was one of the first cities approved by the government to deploy industrial and export processing zones. At present in Haiphong, there have been two industrial zones and one export processing zone created with a total area of 1,285 ha as planned.
So far, 467 ha has been put in use; with 358 ha still available for lease. As at August 2004, there were 48 enterprises operating on the hired land area of 58.79 ha (which accounts for 16 per cent of the total area), with total disbursed capital of US$123.816 million (registered capital is US$266.163 million).
Haiphong is located in the key economic triangle of the Northern plain. Consequently, these industrial and export processing zones offer great advantages to domestic and foreign investors including access to National Road No.5, the seaport, domestic and international railway station and airport, essential infrastructure for every venture. Haiphong’s industrial and export processing zones were built by five investors from Japan, the US, Thailand, Belgium and Hong Kong, all of whom have great experience in the field.
Three enterprises participating in construction of those industrial and export processing zones were Haiphong Nomura Industrial Park Development Co., Dinh Vu Development Joint Venture and Haiphong 96 Export Processing Zone Joint Venture with total pledged investment of US$292.034 million, of which US$186.846 has been disbursed.
Most of the total 48 enterprises invested in the three industrial and export processing zones are from Japan (20 companies) and Hong Kong (13 companies). These enterprises have created jobs for more than 6,691 local labourers and have achieved total revenues of US$305.22 million (of which nearly 70 per cent was for export). The main businesses of these enterprises are textiles and garments (eight enterprises); footwear, agricultural machinery and animal feeds.
However, the total areas rented by investors are still limited, ten years after the establishment of Nomura industrial zone and seven years after Dinh Vu and Haiphong industrial zones were created.
Fortunately, many companies have shown interest in these industrial and export processing zones since Haiphong authorities stepped up the process of administrative reform. In the first nine months of 2004, the industrial and export processing zones attracted seven projects, of which four are foreign invested. While the number of projects is limited, the total capital invested is quite significant, approximately US$55.295 million and VND188.42 billion (US$12 million). Mr. Vu Dinh Toi, Deputy Director of Haiphong’s industrial and export processing zones said: "There are still large areas available for rental. But with the pace of investment, Haiphong’s industrial and export processing zones will come into full play in the next few years".
Vietnamese
