VietNamNet Bridge – Can Tho - the largest city in the Mekong Delta – has revealed its plan to build a 200ha industrial zone in O Mon District, Can Tho City to serve Korean investors only.

Tra Noc IZ in Can Tho City.

At a meeting with Mr. Jun Dae Joo, Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, on Monday, Can Tho Party Secretary Tran Thanh Man said the city had submitted a plan to the Prime Minister and relevant agencies.

According to Ambassador Jun Dae Joo, the total investment of Korean businesses in Vietnam amounted to $32.4 billion, only behind Japan ($36 billion). For the period 2013-2014 alone, Korea took the lead for investment capital in Vietnam.

"Investment of Korean enterprises in Vietnam is growing strongly. I will introduce, encourage and urge Korean businesses to invest more in Can Tho and the Mekong Delta in the future," said Mr. Jun Dae Joo.

He added that bilateral trade between the two countries in 2014 would exceed $30 billion and it is likely to rise to $70 billion in 2020 when the Vietnam-Korea free trade agreement is signed at the end of this year.

Mr. Man said that Can Tho would propose that national air carrier Vietnam Airlines open a direct air route from Can Tho to Korea to stimulate investment and tourism and to create conditions for Vietnamese women in the Mekong Delta who married Korean men to visit the homeland. Currently about 40,000 Mekong Delta women live in Korea.

Thu Ly