Dong Thap Calling for Investment in Infrastructure of 7 New IPs

Currently Dong Thap province has 3 IPs in operation, attracting 52 investment projects with total registered capital of VND4,032 billion. The area of leased land is relatively large, the average occupancy rate of 3IPs is 55 percent (Sadec IP has an occupancy rate of about 87 percent). In 2012, businesses operating in the industrial parks contributed to the local budget VND176.957 billion, creating the industrial production value of about VND12 trillion, contributing to economic development and addressing social security issues in the locality.

 

Recently, however, due to the difficult economic situation, attracting investment in the IPs and EZs has not achieved expected results. This is an issue for Dong Thap province leadership, amid the economic slowdown. In addition, although the current occupancy rate of projects in IPs is high, most projects are small or medium scale, focusing on seafood and agriculture processing industry, and the economic effect is not high.

 

Mr Nguyen Huu Hong, Director of the Management Board of Dong Thap provincial EZs said that, aware of this restriction, Dong Thap provincial leaders in the upcoming time will call for multi-sector investment projects with high added value to the IPs, focus on the development of industries in line with the province's unique features, and effectively exploit the province's resource. In addition, the province will enhance inspection and review of delayed projects to resolve or withdraw investment certificate, to save clean land fund for new projects. At the same time, in the investment promotion process, Dong Thap will support investors with information related to investment projects to avoid duplication of investment or lack of material resources, which make it difficult for investors.

 

The current transport infrastructure in the province of Dong Thap is being upgraded and in the future it will be connected with key economic areas. To take advantage of this opportunity, Dong Thap has planned to conduct high-tech zones in Tan Thanh - Tan Phuoc communes (Lai Vung district) and the future direction is to attract investment in high-tech industries, manufacturing products to increase added value for the local economy, and also cause less damage to the environment. In addition, the province is also actively planning supporting industries, and training human resources to support the development of high-tech projects.

 

To further improve investment efficiency in Dong Thap IPs and EZs in the future, Dong Thap province continues to implement the investment policy to call for the province's industry strengths, to continue to promote the advantages of the locality, strengthen business support in investment procedures and human resources, and promptly remove the difficulties of the enterprise. Regarding orientation, Dong Thap has been approved by the Prime Minister to expand and establish 7 new IPs with a total area of 1,010ha. Currently the province has completed the planning and is calling for investment in infrastructure for the IPs.

 

To promote the activities of the IPs and EZs in Dong Thap to develop rapidly and strongly, Mr Hong proposed: "The Central Government should issue separate policies for each type of EZ because they have different characteristics, if we apply one policy for all, it will be difficult. In addition, the Government should restore investment incentives for investors in the IPs in the province; continue to invest to complete the basic infrastructure for gateway EZs which were already formed to promote effectiveness, while avoiding wasteful investment."