First Vietnamese export processing zone likely a hi-tech complex
Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City are considering converting Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone into a complex of high-tech, service, and residential developments.
Tan Thuan EPZ was established in February 1992 in HCMC’s District 7 as Vietnam’s first export processing zone, creating a new model for boosting industrial development in the country. Following Tan Thuan EPZ, many other EPZs and industrial parks have come into being nationwide.
At a seminar on District 7’s development strategy held Tuesday in HCMC, the district's vice chairman Le Van Thanh said about 70% of corporate tenants in Tan Thuan EPZ, which covers more than 300 hectares, are processing companies.
Turning Tan Thuan into a zone for hi-tech investors and trading, service and residential projects would better support the growth and development of District 7 and HCMC, Thanh noted.
The EPZ's current status is reportedly no longer suitable to the district's development orientation as the zone is causing environmental pollution, while its low budget contribution is not proportionate to its scale.
HCMC Chairman Phan Van Mai said the city administration needs to fully review Tan Thuan EPZ in terms of operation and contribution to be able to work out the most feasible solutions.
“A must is to replace labor-intensive production in Tan Thuan with hi-tech projects and to develop financial services,” the chairman said.
Nguyen Van Dua, former Deputy Secretary of HCMC Party Committee, said factories in Tan Thuan EPZ should be moved to Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park in neighboring Nha Be district. He suggested the future of Tan Thuan as a complex of service, education, healthcare, culture, hospitality, and offices.
- Read More
Vietnam PM calls for more investment from Qatar’s $475 bln sovereign wealth fund
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar's sovereign wealth fund with total assets amounting to $475 billion as of 2023, to ramp up its investment in Vietnam.
Industries - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 4:43 pm GMT+7
FPT Retail earns $6.5 mln in Q3 profit, to expand FPT Shop chain
Vietnamese retail major FPT Retail made a profit after tax of VND165 billion ($6.52 million) in the third quarter of this year, while it incurred a loss of VND13 billion ($514,000) in the same period last year.
Companies - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 3:56 pm GMT+7
Germany’s PNE opens rep office for $4.6 bln offshore wind project in central Vietnam
Germany’s PNE AG, a leading developer of renewable energy projects, has shown its determination to proceed with a mega offshore wind power project in central Vietnam by opening a representative office there.
Energy - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 2:43 pm GMT+7
Saudi Arabian energy giant ACWA Power ready to invest $5 bln in Vietnam
Saudi Arabian private energy giant ACWA Power stands ready to invest up to $5 billion in Vietnam, a senior executive said Wednesday.
Industries - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 2:39 pm GMT+7
Effective M&A deal depends on thorough understanding, value addition potential: Kido exec
An effective M&A transaction depends on fully understanding the company being acquired in order to create added value, says Kido Group CEO Tran Le Nguyen.
Companies - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 1:22 pm GMT+7
No budget apartments in Vietnam, chronic supply-demand gap widens
Vietnam saw no supply or transaction of low-cost apartments priced below VND25 million ($988) per square meter in the third quarter, says a real estate report by the Ministry of Construction.
Real Estate - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 1:10 pm GMT+7
Vietnam steel major SMC remains bogged down with difficulties
Steel manufacturer SMC Trading Investment JSC has been actively selling assets to generate cash for debt repayment and maintain operations since the beginning of this year.
Companies - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 10:41 am GMT+7
Vinhomes’ earnings fall 39% to $777 mln in Jan-Sep
Vinhomes, the largest residential housing developer in Vietnam, booked a net profit of VND19,642 billion ($777 million) in the first three quarters this year, down 39.2% year-on-year.
Companies - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 9:58 am GMT+7
AI cannot replace customer service staff: MoMo exec
AI cannot replace customer service staff, but it can give them more time to prepare and provide better care for customers, says Thai Tri Hung, senior deputy general director and chief technology officer of e-wallet app MoMo.
Companies - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 8:11 am GMT+7
Vietnam property developer Novaland posts skyrocketing Q3 profit
Novaland, a leading real estate developer in Vietnam, reported its after-tax profit hit VND2.95 trillion ($166.62 million) in the third quarter of this year, a 21.6-fold rise year-on-year.
Companies - Wed, October 30, 2024 | 10:59 pm GMT+7
Thailand fruit prices increase at the end of successful season
Thailand’s fruit season is wrapping up this year with a notable surge in prices for durian, mangosteen, rambutan, longkong, and mango.
Southeast Asia - Wed, October 30, 2024 | 10:30 pm GMT+7
BlackBerry launches regional cybersecurity headquarters in Malaysia
Canada-based BlackBerry Ltd has established an Asia Pacific regional headquarters for its cybersecurity division in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, which is now fully operational.
Southeast Asia - Wed, October 30, 2024 | 10:27 pm GMT+7
Malaysia faces rising cybersecurity threats
Malaysian users are facing a high level of cyber threats, which may coincide with the rapid expansion of data centers in the country.
Southeast Asia - Wed, October 30, 2024 | 10:24 pm GMT+7
Indonesia to develop 3 million more hectares of rice fields
The Indonesian government is working to implement a program to develop 3 million hectares of new rice fields to strengthen the country's food resilience amid global challenges and increasing population demands, national news agency Antara reported.
Southeast Asia - Wed, October 30, 2024 | 9:24 pm GMT+7
Singapore’s digital economy thriving
Singapore’s digital economy accounted for 17.7% of the island state's GDP in 2023, up from 17.3% in the previous year, according to its Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
Southeast Asia - Wed, October 30, 2024 | 9:21 pm GMT+7
Viettel, UAE’s Presight to boost Applied AI, digital transformation in Vietnam
Vietnam’s Viettel AI and the UAE’s Presight have agreed to jointly advance the development of Applied AI and digital transformation initiatives in Vietnam.
Companies - Wed, October 30, 2024 | 8:30 pm GMT+7