HORASIS makes spectacular return to enrich Binh Duong

This will be the second year in a row that the HORASIS Asia Meeting will take place in Binh Duong province

The HORASIS Asia Meeting was held in Binh Duong for the first time last year and was highly successful. What did this event do to help raise the stature of the province?

Chairman of Binh Duong People’s Committee Tran Thanh Liem

Last November, HORASIS 2018 attracted more than 750 leaders and VIP guests from 60 countries and territories. Among those there were many CEOs, chairmen, and general directors of multinational companies, as well as those of Vietnamese corporations and groups.

The event saw global leaders and experts share their valuable experiences and stories on socio-economic development.

Especially, it was a new and ­effective method for attracting ­investment. It was also a forum for connecting authorities, enterprises, institutions, and organisations to discuss methods for development. HORASIS 2018 was highly ­appreciated in strengthening Binh Duong’s brand name on the ­international stage, and pressed the development of a smart city format.

At last year’s event, many enterprises and organisations signed MoUs and co-operation contracts, with many of those now becoming effective projects.

Which notable events will be ­included on the agenda of ­HORASIS 2019, to be held in Binh Duong later this month?

The event this year will be held from November 24-26 at Binh Duong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

It will gather more than 400 VIP guests from 60 countries and territories and 400 other participants from Vietnam’s central and local authorities, ministries, and bodies. The event will consist of a chain of seminars, dialogues, and discussions on economic development in both the region and globally, as well as new trends in technology development.

HORASIS 2019 will also consist of four general meetings, 35 regional dialogues focusing on Asia, sideline events such as the HORASIS For All Festival, and the launch of the 1022 Hotline and the Innovative and Renovation Start-up Centre, along with many other seminars.

In addition, Becamex IDC will officially announce that Binh Duong has become a member of the World Trade Centre Association with the groundbreaking ceremony of the province’s World Trade Centre, at the intersection located next to the Binh Duong Administrative Centre.

Binh Duong has successfully ­surpassed its target to attract $7 billion in foreign direct investment between 2016 and 2020. What will be the future focus of the province?

By September we attracted more than $9.7 billion of FDI, 38 per cent higher than the expected target for the 2016-2020 period.

In the time to come, we will continue attracting FDI in key fields such as hi-tech, advanced tech, and environmentally-friendly tech, as well as in healthcare, ­education, and training services, tourism and financial services, smart agriculture, and especially advanced fields based on the foundation of Industry 4.0.

FDI flows will have to ensure harmony between export growth and diversification of product ­development, value added services and using domestic material sources, and also developing ­supportive industries and human resources training in the country.

We will also use Vietnam’s ­advantages in the ASEAN market and opportunities brought about by free trade agreements to attract more FDI to Binh Duong in the coming time, as well as hunting for co-operation with trans-­national groups that boast ­advanced technologies and modern governance management.

FDI attraction, meanwhile, also has to suit the master plan for socio-economic development in the province, while ensuring environmental protection.

As a top provincial leader, what are your suggestions for foreign and domestic investors intending to pour money into the province?

The source of FDI remains an important capital channel for the development of industry and smart urban development in Binh Duong. Thus the province will continue its efforts to improve the investment environment, focusing all sources for developing the infrastructure system mainly in transport, water and power supply, environmental treatment, expanding industrial zones, and creating clean land.

In parallel with that, Binh Duong will also implement training courses for improving human resources and developing social housing for low-income people, and other homes for workers.

We are committed to continuing efforts to strengthen administrative reforms and focusing investment in high-quality products and services, in order to meet the demand of investors in industrial and urbanisation development projects, as well as to ensure the highest safety for those people employed or living in the province.