VietNamNet Bridge – Officials of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho last Saturday called on Japanese investors to fund key projects in exchange for favourable conditions.

Japan is currently the largest foreign investor in Viet Nam, with 2,410 projects worth $36.3 billion.— Photo bizlive.vn

The offer was made at a meeting with business representatives of Japan's International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC). The key projects range from high technology, tourism and logistics to industrial parks and real estate.

The Vietnam Plus online newspaper quoted Nakagaki Yoshihiko, concurrent FEC vice president and Japan-Viet Nam Cultural and Economic Exchange Committee chairman, as saying the delegation aimed to explore investment opportunities in the fields of energy, food and logistics, as well as housing and industrial park infrastructure.

He also expressed hopes that Can Tho would provide the best conditions possible and assist Japanese businesses in fulfilling administrative procedures during project implementation.

At the event, Le Hung Dung, the city People's Committee chairman, committed to implementing concrete preferential policy measures for Japanese companies, including assistance in site clearance, property rentals, land lease and attractive interest rates.

Can Tho's main exports to Japan include rice and other farm products, as well as apparel, leather, handicrafts and chemicals, according to the city's investment, trade and tourism promotion centre.

In 2013, the city exported US$155.2 million worth of goods to, and imported $29.5 million worth of goods from, Japan. In the first nine months of this year, exports to Japan were worth $100 million and imports, $45 million.

Five Japanese businesses are currently operating in Can Tho, including three joint ventures. According to Cong thuong newspaper, Japan is currently the largest foreign investor in Viet Nam, with 2,410 projects worth $36.3 billion. These figures account for 14.1 per cent of the total foreign investment projects and 14.9 per cent of the total registered foreign direct investment capital in Viet Nam.

12 key Can Tho projects need investment

1. A project for building infrastructure in O Mon Industrial Zone, located on a 317-hectare site in Phuoc Thoi Commune, O Mon District, and worth $130 million.

2. A project for developing the high-technology agricultural region 1, located on a 45-hectare site in Thoi Thanh Commune, Thoi Lai District, and worth $7.9 million.

3. A project for developing the Hau River Farm's high-technology agricultural region, located on a 244-hectare site in Thoi Hung Commune, Co Do District, and worth $26 million.

4. A project on developing the Co Do Agricultural Company's high-technology agricultural region, located on a 100-hectare site in Thanh Phu Commune, Vinh Thanh District, with total expected capital of $10.2 million.

5. A project for developing a region for information technology in Binh Thuy District, on a 100-hectare site, and worth $34 million.

6. A project for developing the Con Khuong Urban and Entertainment region in Ninh Kieu District, on a 93-hectare site, and worth VND5.5 trillion.

7. A project for developing the Con Khuong Urban and Entertainment region in Ninh Kieu District, on a 93-hectare site, and worth VND5.5 trillion ($259.4 million).

8. A project for developing a five-star hotel and conference hall region in Ninh Kieu District worth $45.5 million.

9. A project for building the second stage of the Cai Cui port in Cai Rang District worth $33 million.

10. A project for developing the Vo Van Kiet street urban region in Ninh Kieu District, on a 692-hectare site, and worth VND13.84 trillion ($652.8 million).

VNS/VNN