Located in a favourable location in the largest commercial hub in Vietnam, with an international standard infrastructure system, the Saigon Hi-tech Park (SHTP) is very attractive to investors. The SHTP Management Authority has contacts with more than 150 foreign surveying investors and received more than 30 applications. The authority has licensed 18 projects worth more than US4800 million in the park. Remarkably, Hewlett Packard (HP) will develop a supply chain model with an estimated investment capital of US$35-630 million. Nidec Group of Japan will invest US$1 billion in the SHTP in 10 years.
Notably, the SHTP housed Intel’s US$605 million project (including US$305 million in the first phase). The Intel expansion of its semiconductor chip assembly and testing factory area from 45,720 square metres to 153,400 square metres and the increase of its investment capital to US$1 billion marked a milestone in the SHTP. The plant, which plans to employ 4,000 workers, is scheduled for construction in March 2007 and for production in 2009. Addressing at the investment licence-awarding ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on November 10, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his confidence in the success of the project. He affirmed that Vietnam considered foreign investment an organic constituent of the economy and called business partners in general and Intel in particular to further increase their investment into Vietnam.
The SHTP has housed 19 investors and set up supporting units such as training centres and hi-tech business nurseries. The SHTP welcomes all hi-tech projects like Intel project and always endeavours to be an attractive destination for future hi-tech projects. Following the goal “Attracting foreign investment in hi-tech field - shortcut steps,” the SHTP Management Authority initiatively outlined detailed plans to draw foreign investment in high tech such as: Cooperating with the Government Office, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the city’s Department of Planning and Investment and other relevant bodies to promote investment in other countries (the US, Japan, Germany, France, China and Taiwan); Organising and participating in foreign investment forums and hi-tech trade fairs; Introducing the SHTP to consulate general, foreign chambers of commerce; Signing human resource training agreements with Ho Chi Minh City National University and several universities in the US, France, Australia and South Korea; Advertising the SHTP through websites, brochures, CDs, investor guidebooks; and giving priorities to such fields as IT, telecom, precision mechanics, automation, biotech, nano technology and new material technology.
Besides, the Authority has invited senior hi-tech experts in the US to work for the R&D Centre and is calling overseas Vietnamese to work at the SHTP. Annually, the Authority holds scientific seminars for Vietnamese experts and scientists living abroad to acquire their experience and knowledge in the hi-tech fields.
Anh Dao
Vietnamese
