DEEP C looks back onto 25 years of development in Vietnam

DEEP C Haiphong IZ has become an attractive investment destination for domestic and international actors

DEEP C Industrial Zones is a Belgian developer and operator of an industrial zone (IZ) and port in Haiphong and Quang Ninh province, one of the most dynamic regions in northern Vietnam.

In 1997, DEEP C launched the first development project, the Dinh Vu Industrial Zone (aka DEEP C Haiphong I Industrial Zone), marking the cooperation between the Belgian Rent-A-Port Group and Haiphong People's Committee.

Over the 25 years, DEEP C has developed three IZs in the port city of Haiphong, namely Dinh Vu IZ (DEEP C 1), Nam Dinh Vu IZ (DEEP C 2) and Haiphong International Gateway Port (DEEP C 3); along with Bac Tien Phong IZ and Nam Tien Phong IZ in Quang Ninh.

All have formed the DEEP C IZ Complex, covering an area of ​​3,400ha in the regional infrastructure development and production centre, adjacent to the international airport, deep-water port venues, and highways. As of now, the DEEP C Complex has become a prestigious brand in northern Vietnam, making significant contributions to investment attraction, especially from foreign financiers.

Right after setting foot on Haiphong's grounds, and after many surveys, Rent-A-Port decided to choose Dinh Vu peninsula as a long-term investment destination, despite the fact that, by that time, the peninsula was just a deserted swamp without power, water, and traffic connection. With its visionary mindset, Rent-A-Port had quickly recognised the strategic position and development potential of the peninsula to become a transportation hub in Vietnam and the region.

North Tien Phong Industrial Park is set to become an IZ system directly connected to the sea south of Quang Ninh

These 25 years of tireless efforts are now yielding fruit, and the DEEP C Haiphong IZ Complex has become a dynamic industrial development centre, as well as an appealing investment destination for domestic and international investors.

The infrastructure facilities inside the IZ have been built synchronously, meeting the requirements of many investors.

The DEEP C IZs in Haiphong are now home to nearly 150 investment projects from 120 businesses from around the world, with a total investment value surpassing $4 billion. Among DEEP C Haiphong's customers are Bridgestone, Knauf Vietnam, Idemitsu, Chevron, C.Steinweg, Flat Group, Pyeong Hwa Automotive, USI Vietnam, Pegatron, and Tesa Site, among others.

Meanwhile, in Quang Ninh province, two investors have been granted investment certificates to operate in Bac Tien Phong IZ and Nam Tien Phong IZ.

They are storage provider Yen Hung LPG with an investment value of $183.8 million and DEEP C ready-built warehouse and factory complex with investment capital of $6.64 million.

In early 2022, BW Industrial Development JSC acquired land of ​​about 74,000sq.m in Bac Tien Phong IZ, developed by DEEP C in Quang Ninh province. The ready-built factory in Bac Tien Phong IZ is part of Quang Yen Coastal Economic Zone, an emerging economic area and a key investment destination in the north. The project is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2023.

Koen Soenens, director of Sales and Marketing at DEEP C, said that Bac Tien Phong IZ represents an all-in-one multi-functional IZ model, encompassing a petrochemical complex and internal seaport system with conventional and liquid cargo berths.

DEEP C's goal is to build an IZ suitable for a variety of industries, improving logistics advantages for investors in addition to connecting the existing comprehensive infrastructure system.

In addition, these two IZs are luring 12 domestic and foreign investors operating in the petrochemical industry, electricity, electronics, and precision engineering.

Emphasising its development strategy, Bruno Jaspaert, general director of DEEP C IZ Complex, said DEEP C puts efforts in projects using renewable energy, recycling, and protecting the environment, striving to grow into an eco IP. Thus, DEEP C's sustainable development strategy focuses on renewable energy, water reuse and recycling, waste reduction, green building, and mangrove conservation.

To commemorate DEEP C’s 25^th anniversary, the company kicked off the Plan Your Tree 2022 campaign. With this, 2,500 trees have been planted and DEEP C has cooperated with tree suppliers to provide on-site support and guidance for businesses in the IZs.

Following suit with the Plan Your Tree 2022 campaign is a raft of events, such as the DEEP C Career Fair helping to connect DEEP C businesses with a quality workforce, regional universities, and vocational colleges; as well as an investment promotion seminar to promote the location or the Belgian Beer, Food, and Culture Festival 2022, aiming to introduce typical Belgian culture through a harmonious combination of beer, food, and music.

Nguyen Van Tung, chairman of Haiphong People's Committee, noted DEEP C has successfully developed with upbeat results, especially in foreign investment attraction.

Haiphong welcomes DEEP C's strategy, initiatives, and efforts towards sustainable development, attuned to the development guidelines of Haiphong city and the country alike.

Jaspaert said, “We hope that Haiphong would become not only a green city but also a diversified and sustainable industrial centre of Vietnam.”