Tien Giang province has charted a course marked by comprehensive planning, robust infrastructure development, and heightened efficacy in investment attraction within its industrial parks. This endeavor positions the province on a trajectory to not only become an industrial hub but also emerge as a catalyst for growth within the landscape of the Mekong Delta. Our reporter had an exclusive interview with Mr. Nguyen Nhat Truong, Director of the Tien Giang Management Board of Industrial Parks on the issue.
 Mr. Nguyen Nhat Truong, Director of Tien Giang Management Board of Industrial Parks |
Could you provide a summary of the current state of Tien Giang’s industrial parks and assess the outcomes of investment attraction, production, business activities, and the contributions of these industrial parks to the province’s development?
Positioned strategically within the Mekong Delta and the Southern key economic region, Tien Giang emerges as a compelling investment destination endowed with abundant potential and advantages.
The province has established seven industrial parks with a total area exceeding 2,083 hectares. Three of these industrial parks, namely My Tho Industrial Park, Tan Huong Industrial Park and Long Jiang Industrial Park, are already in operation. As of July 2023, these industrial parks attracted 110 projects, with 81 being foreign direct investment (FDI) ventures with a total investment capital of US$2.4 billion, and 29 domestic direct investment (DDI) projects with an investment capital exceeding VND4.8 trillion. Significantly, these projects leased over 524 hectares, representing nearly 70% of the available industrial land.
The enterprises within these industrial parks have not only bolstered the industrial production value but have also constituted a substantial proportion of the export value, thereby contributing significantly to the local budget through tax payments. This has played a pivotal role in fostering the sustainable socio-economic development of Tien Giang. On an annual basis, these industrial parks inject over US$2 billion into Tien Giang's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) and offer employment to approximately 25,000 workers.
These factors position Tien Giang to leverage the advantages inherent in its industrial parks, attracting a greater influx of investment projects. This dynamic environment encourages businesses to broaden their scale and, consequently, draws in a larger workforce. These efforts are poised to actualize Tien Giang's vision of becoming a developed industrial province within the Southern key economic region by 2025.
The provincial planning of Tien Giang for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, has set new growth drivers and goals for developing and attracting investment in industrial parks. Could you specify the goals and tasks for the upcoming period?
In its planning from 2021 to 2030 with a vision to 2050, Tien Giang unveils breakthrough solutions aimed at surmounting bottlenecks, focusing on the synchronized development of infrastructure in line with the expansion of Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.
Over the span of 2021-2030, Tien Giang has set its sights on establishing at least eleven industrial parks on a total area exceeding 3,300 hectares, positioned within four industrial parks spanning over 7,100 hectares. The province will effectively cultivate the important economic region and establish ecologically-conscious industrial parks in Tan Phuoc district. Furthermore, it envisions the creation of a competitive regional logistics center and a strong marine economy.
In the period of 2021-2025, Tien Giang aims to attract industries specializing in agricultural product processing and agricultural support, channeling investments into industrial park infrastructure that harmoniously integrates with digital transformation. For 2026-2030, the province aims to attract increased investments, expanding the scale of existing industrial parks while forming new industry clusters. This foresight anticipates an annual industry growth rate of 14-15%, contributing 33% to the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) by 2030.
Tien Giang continues to develop the Southeast Tan Phuoc industrial park and Go Cong area, associated with the industrial park system of the Southeast region and the Mekong Delta region. This is an important foundation for the province to restructure economic sectors to raise quality and efficiency and accelerate the local socio-economic development.
Tien Giang is focusing on developing new-generation industrial parks and attracting high-tech and green investment.
Tien Giang is focusing on developing new-generation industrial parks and attracting high-tech and green investment. Could you please tell us more about this issue?
To realize the goal of becoming a modern industrial province and a large urban area of regional and international stature, Tien Giang has concretized the Party and State's guidelines and policies, focusing on planning, infrastructure development and improving the efficiency of investment attraction. The province advocates attracting projects with high technology, renewable energy and high added value as well as projects that use less labor, energy, land and resources to promote green growth. Its aim is to focus on attracting investment from such countries as the U.S., Japan and South Korea.
The transition to a circular economy is a key factor to improve competitiveness and ensure sustainable development for industrial parks as well as contribute to raising the Provincial Green Index (PGI). However, to develop green industrial parks, Tien Giang needs support from the central government, especially in terms of policy mechanisms, technology, finance and instructions on technical standards and regulations.
Frozen fruit and vegetable processing line of the Agricultural Product Processing Factory of Thabico Food Industry Joint Stock Company
Could you share how you are working to enhance the business investment environment and provide support to businesses?
In the near future, we will continue to improve the quality of investment promotion work, perfect local industrial park infrastructure to meet investor needs, and increase the filling rate of industrial land for lease. In addition, we will focus on environmental treatment projects in industrial parks and clusters in accordance with current legal standards; coordinate with the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and vocational training units in the area to prepare human resources; and continue to simplify administrative procedures towards openness and transparency. Currently, 100% of administrative procedures under the Board's jurisdiction have been handled through its electronic one-stop system.
Besides, we aim to improve the quality of infrastructure and support services associated with strengthening the management of industrial parks and timely deploy support mechanisms and policies for businesses, creating favorable conditions for them to maintain and develop production. It is also required to regularly review and grasp project progress; and promptly remove obstacles and support projects that are still behind schedule.
Thank you very much!
Source: Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
October 2024
Hanoi