Hi-tech Park in Bac Ninh Province Expected

3:26:35 PM | 8/7/2005

Hi-tech Park in Bac Ninh Province Expected

 

During his working visit to HCMC last March, Mr Le Dinh Tien, Vice-Minister of Science and Technology observed that although starting later than Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park, HCMC Hi-tech Park has made greater progress. He also pointed out that they are two pilot projects and more hi-tech parks will be developed in the future. Where will a hi-tech park of national scale be located?

 

In 2002, Dr. Craig Barret, President of Intel Group, made his second visit to Vietnam. It was then reported that Intel would invest in Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park. However, at a press conference Dr. Barret said that visiting Vietnam Intel was not going to reply to these rumours.

 

In March 2005, another Intel mission visited Vietnam and Mr Than Trong Phuc, Director General of Intel Vietnam said that Vietnam was included in the investment list but the timing remained undecided. Mr Phuc added that a hi-tech park required adequate supply of electricity and water, telecommunication infrastructure, waste treatment, etc. A Hi-tech park must be close to an international airport to send Intel products to customers within 48 hours and also close to universities as 50 per cent of the workforce need to be of high standard. Vietnam has already provided those conditions. The remaining obstacle is the government policy on preferential treatment to encourage investment.

 

In the same month, Mr Vu Vinh Kien, Vice-Chairman of Bac Ninh People’s Committee said that the development strategy of the province is focusing on high technology and supporting industries. Although Hanoi and HCMC have advantages in the development of high technology, they are limited in area. While Bac Ninh is next door to Hanoi and the Noi Bai international airport. The province has 8 universities and high schools and training centres of high quality. There are existing human resources of 600,000 workers including technicians and skilled workers. The province is determined to develop hi-tech parks and industrial zones.

 

In April 2004, Bac Ninh IT zone began the construction with a total investment of VND297 billion by Saigon Telecommunication Joint Stock Company (Saigon Tel) and started operating in late 2004. Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, Director General of Saigon Tel said that the project was completed within 5 months with the support of Bac Ninh authorities.  The land rental is only US$2 per sq. metre a year. 3,000 experts have been recruited and can generate a value of US$150 million a year. He also said that the ultimate goal of Saigon Tel is high technology other than information technology.

 

In early 2005, Canon group (Japan) decided to build a laser printer factory, their biggest in the world, with a capacity of 8 million printers a year at Que Vo IZ. The construction will start in April 2005. Mr Sachia Kageyama, Director General of Canon Vietnam, said that if investing in China, the production cost could be lower. In Vietnam, if local plastic and metal parts are used, the products are more competitive.  Que Vo is a good choice for the building of the biggest factory of Canon laser printers. According to Mr Kien, the Prime Minister has agreed to grant Canon the status of high-technology business and Bac Ninh can attract investors in high technology.

 

Evidently, Bac Ninh authorities have shown their determination to develop an "e-province" when they signed an official cooperation with Intel last August. Mr Vu Duc Dam, Vice-Chairman of Bac Ninh People’s Committee said that small provinces also need information to improve their living conditions. Whether Bac Ninh can be a bright spot in the development of high technology or not, it depends on the decisions of Intel and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

  • Duc Hoang