WHA Group Expands Its Industrial Zone Investments

Building on the success of WHA Industrial Zone 1 - Nghe An and the signing of an MoU to develop 2 industrial zones in Thanh Hoa province, WHA Group is broadening its presence on a national basis.

Mr. David Nardone, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, WHA Corporation PCL, Group Executive – Industrial and International, WHA Industrial Development PLC

In 2017, WHA Group, Thailand’s leading developer of industrial estates, logistics facilities, industrial utilities and power, selected Nghe An province for the location of its first industrial zone in Vietnam, ‘WHA Industrial Zone 1 – Nghe An’. It has now become one of the most attractive industrial zones in the country, thanks to its competitive location, the availability of skilled workforce, and WHA’s world-class infrastructure, operations and environmental care.

WHA Industrial Zone 1 – Nghe An provides easy connection to air, sea and road transportation. Investors benefit from the proximity to Vinh International Airport, and access to hub-and-spoke sea transportation via Lach Huyen deep seaport.  In addition to the existing Highway 1A, they will also have easy access to the new Hanoi-Nghe An motorway upon its completion in 2024.
With 3.37 million people, including a labor workforce of 2 million, Nghe An province is the fourth-most populated province in Vietnam. Every year, there are 24,000 new graduates from its 7 universities, 9 colleges, 9 professional schools and 19 vocational training schools. The province also helps workers returning from other locations settle in, while facilitating their recruitment by companies.

The 143.5-hectare Phase 1 of WHA Industrial Zone 1 – Nghe An has been completed, with 56% already leased. Customers from China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam have set up their operations, in sectors ranging from food processing, automotive parts, solar energy, building materials and a large investment in electronics. With increasing customer demand, construction of the 354.5-hectare Phase 2 is starting in the 1st quarter of 2022. Once completed, including Phases 1, 2 and subsequent expansions, the multi-million-dollar project will comprise a total of 1,850 hectares.

WHA Smart Eco Industrial Zones - Leveraging on over 30 years of experience of WHA Group in Thailand

WHA brings to Vietnam its expertise, acquired over 30 years, in the development and operation of world-class industrial zones that meet the needs of international and local investors. With 11 industrial estates in Thailand currently in operation and a successful track record of delivering internationally recognized high-quality infrastructure with great utilities and high environmental care, WHA Group is well positioned to provide a wealth of experience and expertise.

WHA Group is applying in Vietnam the same high standards as in all its industrial estates in Thailand. Smart technologies and innovations further enhance WHA’s competitiveness and uniqueness. Through its concept of “WHA Smart Eco Industrial Zones”, the company leverages on digitalization and innovative technologies to improve the quality and reliability of its services for the benefit of the customers. A Central Control room provides real time visibility, through CCTV and observation platforms for the safety and security of workers. The system also enables to track and control environmental parameters such as air and wastewater quality and water levels.

WHA industrial zones are internationally recognized for their high-quality standard infrastructure and world-class facilities. For example, at WHA Industrial Zone 1- Nghe An, 4-lane roads are built with concrete for better quality and durability, unlike most industrial zones where roads are made of asphalt. Flood prevention is ensured thanks to a 4.3-meter-high dike and a drainage pumping system, retention pond and flood channels. Fiber optic allows permanent high-speed internet. WHA Utilities and Power (WHAUP), WHA Group’s subsidiary, provides reliable provision of water and a unique biological waste-water treatment central facility. In addition, investors have access to reliable power with 22 kV lines as well as a dedicated substation inside the project since the beginning of 2022. In addition, investors in WHA industrial zones can benefit from competitive lease prices and receive WHA's assistance and services during project implementation.

Encouraged by its initial success in Nghe An province, WHA Group announced in December 2020 the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee (Thanh Hoa PPC) for the development of two new industrial zones, representing a total surface area of 1,150 hectares.

With an area of 540 hectares, plus a potential expansion of 270 hectares, ‘WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone – Thanh Hoa’ will aim to capture demand from high value technology-based industries and reinforce the country’s Northern Technology Corridor. ‘WHA Northern Industrial Zone – Thanh Hoa’, representing a gross area of 340 hectares, will target intermediate and downstream industries. Land relocation and construction are expected to commence in the 2nd half of 2023 or early 2024.

With the solid support of the Vietnamese government and provincial authorities, WHA Group aims to continue initiating solid projects to help attract and nurture foreign investments, enhance skills development, promote job creation, introduce smart solutions for industries and contribute to rapid and sustained prosperity.

“Following the success of our first industrial zone in Nghe An province and our two projects in Thanh Hoa province, we continue to explore development opportunities in other regions of Vietnam, looking forward to enticing FDI flows, prioritizing projects using advanced and environment-friendly technology, while promoting long-term development with significant growth prospects,” explained Mr. David Nardone, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, WHA Corporation PCL, Group Executive – Industrial and International, WHA Industrial Development PLC.

By Vietnam Business Forum