Haiphong promotes investment with French enterprises

The Haiphong Investment Promotion Conference with French businesses

The Haiphong Investment Promotion Conference with French businesses took place on the afternoon of May 25 and was organised by the Haiphong Economic Zone Authority (HEZA) in tandem with the French Embassy in Vietnam and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFV).

Le Trung Kien, head of HEZA noted that the conference is important in helping to show the city’s potential and advantages to investors, as well as opening cooperation opportunities between the port city and French and European investors.

According to HEZA, by the end of April, Haiphong was home to 64 enterprises with foreign direct investment from EU member countries, with a total investment capital reaching over $932 million. Sixteen businesses are based in industrial zones (IZs) and economic zones (EZs), implementing 20 investment projects with a total capital value of more than $727 million, accounting for 3.8 per cent of total foreign capital businesses in Vietnam's IZs and EZs.

Projects coming from Europe have paid nearly $8.26 million to state coffers, with combined revenue reaching $50 million.

The total number of employees working at these foreign-invested enterprises (FIE) is 1,060 people, including 1,031 Vietnamese workers and 29 foreign ones, with per capita income averaging $650 per month.

As of May 15, Haiphong hosted two projects valued at more than $39 million from French investors.

In the words of French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery, French localities and Haiphong city have witnessed many cooperations in recent years and expect to strengthen the partnership between the northern port city and French enterprises.

“As a large dynamic city in development, owning seaports, industrial parks, and many other advantages, Haiphong is a remarkable destination for French investors,” said the ambassador.

In addition to seaports, renewable energy, and economic development, French businesses also want to cooperate in research, health, and education and expect to further visit and search for investment opportunities in the city.

Bruno Jaspaert, general director of DEEP C Industrial Park Complex answered queries from French businesses

At the conference, the head of Haiphong Economic Zone Authority and Bruno Jaspaert, general director of DEEP C Industrial Park Complex answered queries from French businesses about the city’s priority fields for investment attraction; Haiphong’s advantages compared to other localities; the progress in carbon emission reduction; incentives for enterprises to use renewable energy; and management and safety issues at IZs, among others.

According to Adam Koulaksezian, executive director of CCIFV, this is the first time that the organisation teamed up with the French Embassy to lead a delegation to Haiphong.

“At CCIFV, we bridge and connect businesses both in France and Vietnam. That is why we not only support French investors to access the Vietnamese market but also promote exports of Vietnamese businesses to the European market,” said Koulaksezian.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery and the delegation in a field visit to DEEP C Industrial Park Complex on May 25

At the conference, a HEZA representative informed that by 2025, Haiphong will develop 15 IZs covering ​​6,200 hectares in total area, ensuring to provide available space to welcome investors.

The city will continue building more wharves at Lach Huyen deep-water port area, particularly nine wharves including six container berths and three general ports to receive 50,000DWT generalships and 6,000TEU container ships with a throughput capacity from 35-41 million tonnes per year.

In terms of labour supply, with a population surpassing two million people with more than one million labourers; four universities, 55 colleges, intermediate schools, and vocational training centres, and two research institutes with 45,000 graduates annually, Haiphong is ready to provide high-quality human resources to feed business demands.

This will also pave the way for the local business community to access experiences from international investors in terms of management, technology capability, participation in the global production chain, and adaptation to international standards.

According to Le Trung Kien, head of HEZA, Haiphong commits to focusing on developing infrastructure, especially transport infrastructure, with regional connectivity; traffic connection inside and outside IZs; new IZs and social housing projects; and improving the efficiency of labour attraction and training.

“HEZA will always be a solid fulcrum and a reliable companion of investors; creating momentum for businesses to make great strides in development when coming to Haiphong,” Kien promised.