The construction of industrial zones and clusters in recent years has made a strong impact on the social and economic development of Vinh Long province. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Industrial Zone Management Board, said: "To develop industrial zones and clusters in a sustainable manner, Vinh Long has focused on planning new residential areas and developing supporting industries and services to serve local people.” Cong Luan reports.
Could you briefly introduce Vinh Long province’s successes in investment attraction within industrial zones and clusters?
In the past years, investors, especially foreigners, have been very interested in investment in industrial zones and clusters in Vinh Long province. In 2012, the province welcomed 16 investors to explore investment opportunities in industrial zones and clusters, and the number climbed to 22 in 2013 and 29 in 2014. The number of investment certificates has also been on the rise over the years. As of the end of 2012, industrial zones and clusters had 30 projects, including 10 FDI firms, and the figure jumped to 33 projects in 2013, including 11 FDI projects. As of the end of 2014, industrial zones and clusters housed 36 valid projects on a total area of 293.74 ha and with a combined registered capital of VND3,931.2 billion and US$112.3 million. They created jobs for more than 18,700 workers and made revenue of VND10,865 billion in 2014.
How important are investors and businesses in industrial zones and clusters to local economic development?
Businesses in industrial zones and clusters have a very important role in promoting local economic development. Specifically, the value of industrial production of tenants industrial zones and clusters was VND8,695.19 billion in 2014, up 11.22 percent over 2013 and equal to 44.3 percent of the province’s total value. On average, a hectare of land in industrial zones and clusters generates VND29.6 billion of industrial value in the year, much higher than that generated by agricultural production. Export turnover of tenants reached US$200 million in 2014, up 9.11 percent over 2013 and equal to 70.62 percent of the total value in the province. They paid VND187.3 billion in taxes, up 144.22 percent against 2013.
Previously, the land on which Hoa Phu Industrial Park is situated was poor agricultural land. Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation has made this place a leading economic and service driver of the province.
How has the province focused on reforming administrative procedures and improving the investment environment in industrial zones and clusters to facilitate enterprises and investors to do business?
The Management Board has had plans for reforming administrative procedures (Plan 73 /KH-BQL date April 16, 2014) and carry out the single-window mechanism in industrial zones, thus building up and strengthening investor confidence.
The time for granting investment certificates for a project with a registered value of below VND300 billion is within five days (10 days less than the regulations of the Government), while the time for a project of over VND300 billion is within 10 days (15 days less than the regulations of the Government). After receiving the investment certificate, investors will only work with the Vinh Long Industrial Zones Management Board for corporate tax code and seal registration.
How has the province looked after the planning of new residential areas and satellite residential zones, the development of supporting industries and services, social works at the service of workers and residents to develop industrial zones and clusters in a sustainable manner?
Vinh Long province also has policies on worker housing in industrial zones. At present, non-resident workers are mainly concentrated in Hoa Phu Industrial Park and surrounding inns can meet their accommodation demands. In the long term, the province has planned to build Hoa Phu Resettlement Zone (1.4 ha) and Phuoc Yen Residential Zone for workers. Binh Minh Industrial Park has dedicated 30 ha for worker residences.
Resettlement zones for local residents who gave land for industrial projects and zones are also built with complete infrastructure.
Regarding the formation of supporting industries and services, in addition to traditional processing and manufacturing industries, the Board Management will advise the Provincial People's Committee to supplement some supporting industries in accordance with Decision 12/2011/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister dated February 24, 2011 on policies on development of supporting industries.
Vietnamese
