An appealing investment destination

Vietnam is one of the best growing economies in the region which has become an attractive destination for investment from all over the globe, said the Bangkok Post in a news story last week.

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“The government of Vietnam has put a lot of effort into making the country a good host for incoming investment and companies,” the Thai newspaper said. “Several companies have moved their units across the border to Vietnam from China. They include tech companies like Nokia, Samsung and Olympus, as well as shoe manufacturers such as Nike and Adidas.”

It added that the ease of doing business index for Vietnam is at 69th in 2019. “Vietnam has maintained a GDP growth rate of more than 6 percent since 2000, whereas other neighbouring Southeast Asian countries have faltered badly due to the trade wars,” it said.

A key factor in Vietnam that attracts industries is the lucrative corporate tax rate for large firms that are looking to relocate. “A few large firms in Vietnam have managed to get tax rates as low as zero for the first five years, 5 percent for the next decade and 10 percent for the subsequent next two,” it explained.

In a recent seminar in the United States, Deborah Elms, executive director of the Asian Trade Centre in Singapore, said Vietnam was doing well in improving its internal capacity to cope with effects of the US-China trade war and lure more foreign investment.

Vietnam has so far signed 12 free trade agreements with foreign partners around the globe, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). In June, Vietnam inked a FTA and an Investment Protection Agreement with the European Union (EU).

According to Reuters, foreign direct investment (FDI) is crucial for Vietnam to maintain economic growth since the FDI firms account for about 70 percent of the country’s total exports.

Russia’s Regnum news agency also hailed Vietnam for jumping 15 places on the ranking of best economies to invest in, surging past other regional peers like Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Jumps in competitive rankings

The World Economic Forum (WEF)’s 2019 Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) report revealed that Vietnam rose 10 spots from last year to land at 67th out of 141 economies, making it the most improved country this year.

Against the backdrop of weakening global economy, Vietnam standouts the most with a robust and stable economic growth, said Professor Vladimir Mazyrin, Director of the Centre for Vietnamese and ASEAN studies at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Science.

The key to such an impressive growth remains in the country’s ability to provide a favourable business climate and corporate supports, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), he said.

The Vietnamese government has taken drastic moves to boost the economy, he continued, highlighting the signing of a number of new-generation FTAs; streamlining of business conditions and verification procedures; launch of e-government and the digital economy; and encouragement of startup businesses.

Vietnam jumped three ranks on the 2019 Global Innovation Index (GII) to place 42nd out of 129 economies. It is the highest ranking Vietnam has ever achieved.

Sacha Wunsch Vincent, head of the WIPO’s Composite Indicator Research Section, Economics and Statistics Division and Co-Editor of the GII, hailed Vietnam as a model country among those surveyed by the WIPO over the past three years.

The country also climbed in the ranking of best countries in which to invest this year issued by the US News and World Report, up from 23rd last year to eighth out of 29 economies. According to the report, “Doi Moi” (renewal) economic policy reforms beginning in 1986 have helped Vietnam transition to becoming a more modern, competitive nation.

It was voted as the second-best destination for expats to live and work in 2019 in an Expat Insider survey published by InterNations. The country moved up 12 steps in just one year from the 14th out of the 68 destinations last year, said InterNations, the world’s largest expat community with 3.6 million members.

PM approves tourism development strategy by 2030

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a tourism development strategy by 2030.

Bac Giang pursues comprehensive and firm development

(BGO) – Realizing the Resolution of the 18th provincial Party Congress for the 2015-2020 tenure and the 5-year socio-economic development plan (2016-2020), in the context of both advantages and challenges, the Party Organization, authorities and people of Bac Giang province have continued to inherit and promote the tradition of solidarity and made every effort to implement guidelines, tasks and solutions set in the Resolution drastically, synchronously and effectively. 

External relations mobilise resources for localities’ development

Expanding external relations has helped many localities across the country mobilise resources and assistance for their development.

Japan supports Vietnam’s food value chain development

Vietnam holds great potential in food value chain development with a large consumption market and high export values, especially as the country is a member of various free trade agreements (FTAs), heard a seminar held in Hanoi on January 14.

Tourism potential development

(BGO) – 2019 witnessed a great tourism development in Son Dong district, Bac Giang province with sharply increased number of visitors and tourism revenue. The tourism potentials and advantages have been promoted to open a new socio-economic development to the highland.

Source: VNA