Want to be in the loop?
subscribe to
our notification
Business News
VIETNAM NEEDS TO FINE-TUNE ITS FOREIGN INVESTMENT ATTRACTION POLICY
With foreign direct investment’s (FDI) significant contributions to economic growth as well as its shortcomings being highlighted clearly amid global investment changes, Vietnam needs to take immediate measures to tap into the resources of this sector to boost its economy.
After 35 years of opening and attracting FDI, Vietnam has received investments from 140 countries and territories around the world, with big global names such as Intel, Microsoft, Foxconn, Samsung, Sanyo, Sony, Fujitsu, Toshiba and Panasonic.
A 2021 report by the Vietnam Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) shows that the FDI sector currently accounts for 25% of total social investment, 55% of total industrial production value and 70% of total exports. Such figures demonstrate that Vietnam’s investment and business environment is increasingly improving, making foreign investors more confident in their business success with Vietnam by increasing their investments to expand their operations and earn greater profits.
Notably, foreign investors have been actively engaged in share purchase activity over the past ten years, accounting for a major part of total FDI pledges and disbursements. In 2021, the total value of mergers and acquisitions reached 12 billion USD, up 150% from a year earlier, despite the severe impacts of COVID-19.
In addition, the non-equity mode (NEM) is becoming a new investment method in Vietnam, as seen in Vingroup’s deals related to Vinfast and Vinsmart. According to VAFIE Chairman Nguyen Mai, this mode allows multinational companies to coordinate supply chains, creating a chance for domestic manufacturers and suppliers to take part in the global supply chain. Foreign investors’ resources usually include brands, intellectual property rights and business know-how. This is an investment trend that aims to increase marginal profit in potential markets without contributing capital.
Also in 2021, a report by the Institute of International Investment Studies Company Limited (ISC) pointed out the drawbacks and inconsistencies in attracting FDI and recommended many remedy measures to policymakers. According to Dr Phan Huu Thang, who co-authored the report, the advantage of FDI is its increasing role in economic growth, with important contributions to exports, government revenues, job creation, productivity enhancement and supporting industries.
On the other hand, there are also some drawbacks as seen in the low quality of attracting and using FDI, with the number of projects employing advanced technologies accounting for only 5% of the total. In addition, since the link between FDI enterprises and other sectors of the economy remains weak, the spillover effect concerning productivity and technology is minimal. The downside of attracting and using FDI is addressed slowly, negatively affecting economic development, social order and defence-security.
Thang said there are many reasons behind such drawbacks but the underlying reason is that the institutions and policies on FDI have not caught up with the development requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to continue fine-tuning the institutions and laws for attracting FDI to enhance its quality.
At the same time, ministries and localities need to take strong, proactive, synchronous and substantive actions to create a fair, open and transparent investment and business climate.
It is also recommended that the Government soon introduce a set of criteria for assessing the performance of the FDI sector. It will include 25 specific criteria covering economic, social, environmental and technological areas as the basis for foreign investors to grade themselves and localities to select the appropriate projects.
Source: VCCI
Related News
![Card image cap](/uploads/Logo/Cathay%20%281%29.jpg)
ONE-TIME OFFER: COMPLEMENTARY CATHAY PACIFIC LOUNGE PASS
Begin your trip on the right note in Cathay Pacific’s first-ever ferry lounge, located at Shenzhen’s Shekou Cruise home port. Situated at the end of the pier, the ferry lounge offers a breathtaking 270-degree view of the sea. You can immerse yourself in sheer luxury and revel in the panoramic beauty. Catch a glimpse of Hong Kong in the distance.
![Card image cap](/uploads/news/Industrial%20Zone.jpg)
VIỆT NAM TARGETS FULL MOBILE BROADBAND COVERAGE ON HIGHWAYS, INDUSTRIAL ZONES BY 2025
By 2025, Việt Nam aims to achieve one hundred per cent mobile broadband coverage on all national highways, expressways and railways under a plan to enhance the quality of Việt Nam’s mobile telecommunications network by 2025, which has been approved by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC).
![Card image cap](/uploads/news/Investment6.jpg)
VIETNAM ONE OF FASTEST-GROWING E-COMMERCE MARKETS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
The report released on July 16 highlighted that the total GMV of Southeast Asia’s eight leading e-commerce platforms rose to $114.6 billion in 2023, up 15 per cent from 2022. The key drivers for the region's e-commerce GMV expansion in 2023 are Vietnam and Thailand, growing 52.9 per cent and 34.1 per cent on-year, respectively.
![Card image cap](/uploads/news/Security.jpg)
2025 PIVOTAL FOR STOCK MARKET UPGRADE EFFORT
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is expected to soon publish the entire content of the draft circular amending and supplementing four circulars on transactions, registration, depository, and clearing, as well as operations of securities companies and information disclosure. This move, along with feedback and explanations, aims to meet the criteria for upgrading Vietnam’s stock market.
![Card image cap](/uploads/news/bn-01.jpg)
VIETNAM INTENSIFIES E-COMMERCE TAX SCRUTINY
The department plans to offer guidance for and hold direct dialogues with e-commerce taxpayers to ensure compliance. Efforts will also include updating the e-commerce database, conducting risk analysis, and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to manage data and issue alerts.
![Card image cap](/uploads/news/eco2.jpg)
FOOTWEAR EXPORTS SEEN REACHING US$27 BILLION THIS YEAR
This optimistic forecast reflects the industry’s efforts to expand and diversify its markets. Lefaso indicated that Vietnam’s footwear sector will concentrate on traditional markets like the U.S. and the European Union, alongside markets with free trade agreements to maximize opportunities.