11:22:26 AM | 3/10/2008
Malaysian investors had pledged to pour US$14.8 billion into 37 projects in Vietnam in the first nine months of this year, topping the list of 40 countries and territories making direct investment in Vietnam in the period, Vietnam News Agency said.
The top position was gained following the licensing of a US$9.8-billion project to construct a steel complex in central Ninh Thuan province.
The steel complex in Ca Na, which was licensed by the provincial People’s Committee September 19, is the biggest foreign investment project in Vietnam so far. It will be jointly carried out by the Lion Corporation and the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (Vinashin).
The Malaysian ambassador to Vietnam Lim Kim Eng praised the investment environment in Vietnam in general and in Hanoi in particular and said it has attracted a large influx of foreign investors, including those from Malaysia.
She added that more Malaysian firms are eying projects in Vietnam in the areas of real estate, construction of hospitals, hotels, banks and production factories.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, Malaysia now ranks 6th among Vietnam’s outbound investment destinations with seven projects capitalized at US$162.8 million.
Malaysia is now Vietnam’s second large trade partner in the ASEAN bloc. Two-way trade turnover reached US$4.35 billion last year. (VNA)
Vietnamese
