VietNamNet Bridge - As Russia has decided to choose Thailand instead of Vietnam for its aircraft maintenance center, experts say Vietnam should call for investors from the US, UK, France and other countries. 

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They said that there was no need to feel disappointed that Russia had decided to set up an aircraft maintenance center in Thailand, and that the dream of having such a center in Vietnam could still occur.

Nguyen Thien Tong, former Dean of the HCMC University of Technology’s aerospace engineering department, said that Vietnam still has opportunities to compete with Thailand.

He said with TPP, Vietnam can invite international investors from the US, UK, France, Germany and Europe to set up a maintenance center specializing in maintaining aircraft for short-distance flights.

As Russia has decided to choose Thailand instead of Vietnam for its aircraft maintenance center, experts say Vietnam should call for investors from the US, UK, France and other countries. 
These countries are famous for maintaining and repairing civil aircraft, which are the type of aircraft that have higher demand for maintenance. Russia is believed to have advantages only in military aircraft.

The competitiveness of Vietnam, according to Tong, can be created if Vietnam can train a skilled labor force. If considering labor cost, it is cheaper in Vietnam than in Thailand.

He emphasized that Vietnamese can have good technical skills if they can be well trained because they are intelligent.

Tong, who is confident in Vietnamese workers’ capability of repairing and maintaining aircrafts, said that there were many Vietnamese people doing this work in the US and they are very skilled. 

“I believe that Vietnam does not necessarily need Russia for the aircraft maintenance center project,” Tong said.

An economist also said that it would be better for Vietnam if it can invite  investors from the US or European countries to set up an aircraft maintenance center in Vietnam.

“There would be numerous aircraft from western countries, civil aircraft which can bring higher economic benefits than military ones,” he said.

Tong agreed, saying that as for military aircraft, the Vietnamese air force can repair all old-generation aircrafts made by the former USSR. 

However, Vietnam has to bear disadvantages because of strict security requirements.

The A42 factory of Vietnam’s Air Force now repairs Canadian seaplanes, while technical workers learn English instead of Russian.

“I know a French aircraft company which wants to provide repair services in Vietnam. It is necessary for Vietnam to apply reasonable policies to lure foreign investors to Vietnam,” Tong said.

According to Tong, the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam have the list of foreign investors in the field and they need to give advice to the government to lure investors, especially those from the US and France, as Vietnam has bought many Boeing and Airbus aircraft.


Dat Viet