Japanese firm invests $35 mln in Danang hi-tech R&D center

The Da Nang Fujikin Research, Development and Production Center in the eponymous central city was inaugurated Thursday, focusing on hi-tech areas like robotics, artificial intelligence and nanotechnology.

The areas of work and study at the $35 million facility, invested in by Japanese-backed Da Nang Fujikin Co., Ltd, will include robots, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like drones, hydrogen energy equipment, nano equipment, water filter systems, cordless power transmission systems, and development of new materials.

The center’s R&D activities will also cover information technology, medical equipment, prototype designs, and production of UAVs, robots as well as medical equipment.

It will aim to facilitate production of tech advances or commercial purposes.

The center will collaborate with the University of Science and Technology under the University of Danang, particularly in joint research, recruitment, technology transfer, research financing, and other areas.

Municipal Vice Chairman Le Quang Nam said at the center's inauguration ceremony that the project matches the city’s preferences for high-quality, eco-friendly projects that will employ a high-skilled workforce.

The center’s construction began in October 2021, after the investment certificate was granted in February last year.

In the year to October 15, the coastal city attracted $130.7 million in foreign direct investment (FD), down 19.9% year-on-year, municipal data shows.

They included 39 new FDI projects with the registered capital of $68.8 million, up by eight projects year-on-year but down 53.9% in the capital; $4.3 million in additional capitals for 28 operational projects; and $57.7 million in 42 stake acquisitions.